It's every parent's worst nightmare - your child in an accident. The scary news is that about 60% of serious kids' accidents happen at home. 'You can't 100% supervise children 24 hours a day,' says Greg Stead, executive officer of Kidsafe NSW, 'but you should be aware of the main dangers.'
Trampolines
With an estimated 250,000 trampolines around Australia, it's no surprise they're to blame for injuries, most involving kids aged five to nine.
Trampolines should be positioned away from fences, clotheslines and overhanging trees. Ideally, inset the trampoline in the ground and surround it with impact-absorbing padding. The springs and frame should be covered with a safety pad.
Always supervise children on the trampoline and have strict rules: no shoes on, no toys on, and one child at a time.
Playground spills
Falls are the biggest single cause of injury to children, and a good proportion of these occur in playgrounds.
Kids under three should stick to equipment less than 1m high, and for those aged between three and five, 1.5m should be the limit. All children should avoid climbing on equipment more than 2m high.
"We recommend children going to a playground don't wear jackets or tops with toggles or string cords, as these can become a choking hazard,' says Greg Stead.
Bunk beds
Bunk beds cause almost 4000 injuries a year to Australian children. Most accidents are to children under five years, and usually caused by falls from the top bunk.
Check your bunks meet the Australian safety standards ' they should have guard rails at least 160mm above the height of the mattress on all sides, and no gaps that can trap heads or limbs. Don't let them sleep in the top bunk until they're six, and never let them play on bunks.
Drowning
They call water the 'silent killer' and drowning is the single biggest danger to children under five ' and as kids can drown in as little as 5cm of water, everything can be a danger.
The water rule is simple: never let kids out of your sight. 'When you're supervising, do it from the pool area, not from within the house, even if you can see them from the kitchen window,' says Greg Stead from Kidsafe. 'You can too easily get distracted.'
Driveway accidents
Did you know a toddler gets run over by a car in a driveway every week in Australia? Make driveways a no-go area for kids and use gates and fences to separate the area if you can. If you're leaving in the car, make sure someone else is there to hold and watch the children. 'If there isn't someone to do that, even if you just need to move the car, put the child in the car with you,' Greg says.
Burns
Things that can burn or scald are everywhere in our homes, whether it's the iron, the hot water tap or a cup or tea.
Get your hot water system set to a maximum of 50°C, rather than the regular 65-70°C, which can cause a third-degree burn within seconds. Avoid using the iron when small children are around, and be alert when you're doing cooking of any sort.
Road accidents
No matter how well they know the rules, little kids shouldn't cross roads alone until they're at least 10. That means they should always be with you or another adult, holding your hand, when crossing a road or in car parks. Set a good example ' always cross at lights and pedestrian crossings, and look carefully before you cross.
Bikes and be-wheeled items
It's the combination of speed and traffic that makes bikes and other wheeled things, like scooters and skateboards, so dangerous. Most kids' injuries from bikes occur from simply falling off the bike, so make sure they're well protected: a helmet is a must, and kneepads and elbow guards are a good idea.
Make sure their bikes are appropriate for their siz. Also give them lots of practice in safe areas to build up their skills and confidence.
Poisoning
It's not just babies and toddlers who are likely to be poisoned by dangerous substances: children of all ages are still highly curious and at risk of poisoning.
About 70% of poisonings are due to medicines, like paracetamol. 'Especially coloured tablets that might look like lollies. Put them up high, and don't leave them in your handbag,' Greg says. "Be aware that child-resistant tops aren't necessarily childproof, too.'
Dog bites
Kids are the biggest victims of dog bites - about 1500 Australians a year are bitten by dogs so badly they need surgery, and every three in five of these attacks is to a child under 10. Most serious bites are by the family dog, or a friend's or neighbour's dog.
Always supervise children when they're around dogs, and teach older children to let a dog see you and sniff you before you touch it. Always pat on the back, not the head.
More stories
Preventing dog attacks
Teaching road safety
Riding a bike
Text by Jodie Thomson
