With a multitude of water bodies surrounding the Cobram-Barooga area, drowning is a massive threat to children — especially during summer.
Kidsafe Victoria has issued a timely reminder that all it takes is a split second for a child to be seriously injured, warning of key causes such as drowning to boost awareness and help reduce risk for parents and carers.
Chief executive Melanie Courtney cited children's curiosity and lack of mindfulness in dangerous situations as increasing their risk of injury exponentially, urging safe systems to be implemented in potentially harmful circumstances.
“This year has been like no other,” she said.
“With more children at home and parents juggling working-from-home commitments with remote learning, sadly we have seen a spike in child deaths from unintentional injuries, often referred to as ‘accidents’.”
“Keeping safety front of mind and ensuring there are a number of key safety measures in place – including active adult supervision – can help to prevent a child from losing their life or suffering a serious injury.”
On average, three children die every week from preventable injuries in Australia, and often stemming from these ‘split-second’ situations.
Hazards such as leaving a cup of hot tea or coffee in reach of a child, backyard swimming pool gates propped open, unstable furniture, household cleaners accessible under the sink, cars reversing out of driveways and accessible button batteries all contribute to a litany of tragic, needless deaths among children.
Even something as seemingly harmless as curtain or blind cords could spell disaster, according to Ms Courtney.
“Looped curtain and blind cords pose a significant strangulation hazard for children; it only takes a few seconds for a young child to get tangled in a cord that is too long or looped, but that few seconds can lead to a lifetime of devastation,” she said.
Families are implored to check their homes and take action on risky items as a part of National Kidsafe Day.
For more information and resources to help keep children safe, visit www.kidsafevic.com.au
More local news
NCN Health seeks interest for carer support group
Week’s worth of walking for dementia awareness
