Child Safety in and Around the Home

The Safety CentreThe Royal Children’s

Hospital

Home Safety Topics• Water Safety in and around the home• Road Safety• Falls Prevention• Poisoning Prevention• Choking and Suffocation• Fire Safety• Burns and Scalds• Electrical Safety• Outdoor Safety• Dogs and Kids• Paediatric First Aid

Water Safety• Water that is deep enough to cover a child’s nose and mouth can

cause a child to drown

• Empty anything that holds water, like buckets and troughs, immediately after use

Water Safety – Bath timeMost children who drown are under 5 years of age, with those aged 1 and 2

years old most at risk

A child under five years of age must always be within arms reach of an adult when in the bath.

Water Safety- Outdoor

• Children can use items such as outdoor furniture to climb over a pool fence.

• When drowning has occurred in fenced pools, the pools were often found to have faulty gates or gates that were propped open.

Driveway / Road Safety

• In Australia on average, one child every week is run over in the driveway of their own home.

Falls Prevention

• Night-lights help prevent night time bumps and falls

• Falls are the most common single cause of hospital-treated injury in all age groups.

• 3 factors that influence the severity of a fall. Height, surface, and other objects

Falls Prevention• Do not use baby walkers. They give a young child the mobility to

place themselves in danger quickly and unexpectedly

Poisoning Prevention• Always replace lids on medication immediately after use

• Poisoning is the second leading cause of injury hospitalisation after fall injury in children 0–4 years of age in Victoria.

Poisoning Prevention

• Can you name some poisons in and around your home?

Choking - Food• What foods should not be given to children <5 years of age?

• What foods should not be given to children <3 years of age?

Choking & Suffocation• Young children’s airways are small and easily blocked, their reflexes

are not as well developed and their bodies not as strong, so they are less likely to be able to get themselves out of trouble.

Burns & Scalds• The majority of burn injuries in young children are caused by scalds

from hot drinks, food or steam.

• Children under 4 years are most at risk due to their increased mobility and natural curiosity.

Fire Safety• Young children can be fascinated by flames and fire, and do not

realise the possible dangers.

• When is a good time to replace smoke alarm batteries?

Fire Safety/Fire Plan• Make sure there are two ways out of the house. It is also

important to have two means of exit from each room.

Electrical Safety

• Switch off and unplug appliances after use

• Avoid extension cords and double adaptors – a safety power board is better.

Outdoor Safety

• Two thirds of children hospitalised with playground equipment injuries are aged 5–9 years of age.

• A third of home injuries to children under 5 years occur in the backyard, garden or garage.

Outdoor Safety• Remember that ride on tractors, mowers & trailers are

dangerous for children

Dogs and Kids

• Always supervise children near dogs

• Remember that all dogs can bite

Paediatric First Aid

Emergcare Paediatric First Aid CoursesPh: 9304 1622

Contact Us For more information please contact:

The Royal Children’s Hospital Safety Centre

Telephone: (03) 9345 5085 Email: safety.centre@rch.org.au Website: www.rch.org.au/safetycentre