SAFETY & PROGRAM RESOURCES
At Kidsafe Queensland, we offer a range of safety program initiatives and resources to keep your children safe at home, during play and on the road.
Browse our range of resources below for advice on keeping children safe in a range of scenarios.
HOME SAFETY
How to keep your child safe from ongoing flood dangers
It may seem obvious that floodwater is dangerous. The sheer force of water can be very destructive, destroying buildings and sweeping away cars, causing loss of life and damage to property. However, floodwater is contaminated and Emeritus Professor John Pearn warns...
Jump, Bounce, Laugh: How to help play safely on trampolines
If we look across Australian homes at their play equipment, we can see the large number of trampolines set up in backyards. Bouncing can be heaps of fun for kids but can also present it's fair share of hazards: That's why it is so important to keep risks to a minimum...
Small but deadly – what you need to know about button batteries
In Australia, around 20 children per week are admitted to hospital because they have ingested a button battery. Car remotes, calculators, musical greeting cards, flashing novelty goods and kitchen scales – button batteries are everywhere in a variety of objects around...
How to respond to burns and scalds in children
The correct first aid treatment for minor burns is 'Remove, Cool and Cover' REMOVE: any clothing or jewellery from the area (unless it is stuck to the skin), COOL: the burn with cool running water for 20 minutes. The length of time is important - so don't cut...
Are amber necklaces safe for teething babies?
There is a huge variation in when babies get teeth and how they are affected by them. Some babies are born with them and some don’t get them till 12 months. Symptoms may include fever, rash and general irritability or none at all. What...
When is the right time to take my baby to swimming lessons?
Teaching your baby to swim is often recommended on the basis that it has benefits such as water familiarisation, learning breath control, free floating and propulsion. Australia’s famous swim coach Laurie Lawrence recommends it as part of his...
How to protect your baby from sun exposure
Slip, Slop, Slap has become part of the Australian vernacular since it was introduced by the Cancer Council in 1981. As an adult you may be aware that exposure to the sun can cause sunburn and lead to skin damage, eye...
Do you know how to use a pram or stroller safely?
Getting out and about with your baby is an essential part of life and most parents already pay particular attention to the mandatory regulations around child car seats. But, when it comes to prams and strollers they are less risk aware. Follow these simple guidelines...
Are you aware of the risks of noise exposure for your baby?
If you are the parent of a newborn, then you are probably already conscious of what noises wake your baby and – fingers crossed – puts them to sleep. But it can be difficult to judge what constitutes a loud noise, especially in an urban environment...
Keep your baby safe when using bouncers or musical swings
Entertaining your baby using a bouncer, musical swing or rocker chair is a popular choice by many parents, but many are not aware of the safety risks. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your baby safe. What is the safest bouncer, musical swing or rocker to buy?...
PLAY SAFETY
Jump, Bounce, Laugh: How to help play safely on trampolines
If we look across Australian homes at their play equipment, we can see the large number of trampolines set up in backyards. Bouncing can be heaps of fun for kids but can also present it's fair share of hazards: That's why it is so important to keep risks to a minimum...
How choosing the right plants can make a fun and safe play space
A well thought out play space allows kids to grow and develop key skills. Knowing this, we can plan and design play spaces with different plants and gardens to nurture children’s development, creativity, and imagination. A simple way to achieve this is by planting trees and shrubs. However, before planting anything, ensure that plants are suitable for the space.
Let’s swing into safety: Do you know these handy tips for safe swing play?
Playing on a swing can help kids to grow and develop in a range of ways. To swing themselves higher, kids must develop their technique through practice and persistence. As a result, they will feel out what movements work and it is this process that builds strength, coordination and resilience.
Safe landings: How to choose the best surface material for your playground
Understanding playground safety and how to meet the standards can make the task of designing and operating a playground much more simple. No matter the equipment or layout of a play space, there is always a need for surface coverings, the most important of these being softfall.
How to keep children cool this Summer with water play
The Summer heat is fast approaching. This means that we need to find ways to beat the heat without sacrificing opportunities for play. And what better way to spend a summer afternoon than at a playground with water play features.
How to help kids slide safely this Summer
The slide is one of the most popular pieces of play equipment in Australian play spaces and can provide endless fun for all ages. Slides come in a range of designs to provide different play experiences, from straight to wavy and even corkscrews or multi-track slides....
When is the right time to take my baby to swimming lessons?
Teaching your baby to swim is often recommended on the basis that it has benefits such as water familiarisation, learning breath control, free floating and propulsion. Australia’s famous swim coach Laurie Lawrence recommends it as part of his...
How to protect your baby from sun exposure
Slip, Slop, Slap has become part of the Australian vernacular since it was introduced by the Cancer Council in 1981. As an adult you may be aware that exposure to the sun can cause sunburn and lead to skin damage, eye...
ROAD SAFETY
A minute can’t hurt – can it? The dangers of leaving kids in cars
As parents, we instinctively know not to leave our children unattended. However, when children are safe and contained in their car seats or a baby is asleep in their capsule, it is very tempting - just for a minute, to leave them where they are. But, it can be fatal...
Are your children travelling safely in your car?
In Australia, we use child car seats (rear or forward-facing) or booster seats so that children can travel safely in cars. However, despite these seats meeting some of the world's most stringent design standards and despite high levels of child car seat use (92-99%),...