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Child Safety Month 2008 -
August 2008. more

First United Nations Global Road Safety Week 23 – 29 April 2007 (PDF) Click here

Choosing a swimming teacher - a guide for parents Click Here

First Aid for Burns: What to do. Graphically presented.
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Watch That Child! -
Child safety is no accident. more

Safety Tips (English) - Points to note around the house - graphically presented. click here

Safety Chart (English) - Savlons Family Safety Chart - graphically presented. click here

We are all looking forward to a happy, fun-filled Holiday. The risk of accidents occurring rises considerably during holiday periods. Holiday times are happy times but be aware of the hazards that can be found in mountains, at the sea, holiday resorts or wherever you are going to spend your holiday. When you are unfamiliar with your surroundings these holidays, it is important to look out for hazards and prevent unnecessary injuries to children.

Draw these safety tips to the attention of your family/friends and neighbors and lets keep this Holiday accident and tragedy free. Remember: Bored children are more likely to investigate new “risky” objects and areas!

TRAVELLING:

• Many people tend to regard the safety of children in motor vehicles as minor, but this should not the case. Mothers and fathers should not allow their children to travel in motor cars this holiday without being strapped in a SABS approved restraint or seatbelt. We would like to stress the importance of buckling-up children every day and not just during holidays.
• Before you set out on your vacation, always have your vehicle serviced (including your caravan or trailer). Check all the tyres (including the spare), brakes, shock absorbers, lights, steering, etc. Always travel with emergency equipment. E.g. basic tools, jack, spare fan belt, first aid kit and fire extinguisher.
• It is important to plan your route beforehand.
• Always allow time to stop and visit interesting places and allow time for rest stops every couple of hours.
• Make sure you always buckle up your children and yourself, for short as well as long distances.
• Lock all doors of the car. Use the child lock for babies and toddlers.
• Stop frequently so that children can stretch their legs and take them out of their seats for a while.
• If you stop along the road, always keep an eye on children. They can be impulsive, because it is new surroundings, they could do anything without warning.
• Always buckle children up in SABS approved child restraint systems or seatbelts when traveling in motor vehicles. There are different restraints for different age groups.
• Child restraints are important for any journey even short trips, since most collisions occur within 40km of the home.
• Mom’s lap is normally the most popular place for a baby to be held, this is unsafe in a motorcar. In a collision, a mother’s weight could seriously injure or even kill the baby against the dashboard or windshield. The force of impact will make the child 3 times its own weight– no matter how strong the mother is, she will be unable to hold onto the child.
• Unrestrained toddlers involved in a car accident usually sustain head injuries, more than half of which are fatal. Many of those who survive such an experience, suffer permanent brain damage. These toddlers often travel unprotected on the front of back seat of a vehicle– sometimes not even sitting, but standing up to have a better view. This is unsafe!
• Never buckle two people of any size into one safety belt.
• Check that all doors are locked preferably with childproof locks.
• Keep heavy or sharp objects in the boot and only allow soft toys inside the car.
• Drivers distracted by unrestrained children cause collisions.
• On longer trips try to stop regularly so that children can get out of their seats and stretch their legs.
• Sometimes older children will climb out of their safety seats. Stop the car and do not resume the trip until your child allows you to buckle him/her up again.
• Pregnant women must belt up even if it is uncomfortable.
• Children imitate adults– make sure all passengers set a good example by buckling up.
• An adult is guilty of a criminal offence if he should allow a child younger than 14 years to travel unrestrained on the front seat of a motor vehicle equipped with seat belts.
• Be consistent in insisting that your child travel in a safety seat.

CHILD RESTRAINTS:

• There are a number of SABS approved restraints available on the market.
• There are different seats for all the age groups– restraints should suit the weight and physical development of the child.
• Restraints should be used correctly for example newborns up to ±10kg weight should be placed in a rear-facing position.
• Replace restraint if involved in an accident and the restraint was in use at the time.
• Carefully read the fitting instructions before you install your child’s safety seat, harness or seatbelt.
• Never try to alter the construction of the child restraint.
• When buying a second-hand seat, make sure that it has not been in an accident and check if the webbing is completely free of any sigh of fraying.
• Effective restraints might be expensive for the average family, but what price is the safety of your child?

More information on different child restraints can be obtained from the Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Southern Africa at telephone 021 658-5433/ 021 6855208.

Remember that children who travel restrained are not only safer but usually behave better, making the traveling more pleasant for all.

The Child Accident Prevention Foundation is concerned about the ever-increasing number of deaths and serious injuries in children when traveling unrestrained. We want to urge parents to take safety precautions and not take any chances. Assure that your child is strapped-in properly and prevent them from becoming the next victim. We cannot continue to risk our children’s lives. Our children rely on us therefore buckle-up, not only this holiday, but always.

Don’t be the one to say “If only!”

SURF/SAILING HINTS:

• Do check your equipment before you go sailing.
• Wear a life jacket.
• Tell the lifesavers and friends where you intend sailing and when you will return.
• Ask a friend to keep watch, someone who would understand if you were in trouble and would know what to do.
• Always carry spare rope and towline.
• Always carry a flare.
• Heed advice from local lifesavers.
• Check weather patterns with your local weather office.
• Don’t sail alone.
• Don’t sail in water you don’t know, check changes with the locals.
• Don’t sail among bathers. Don’t overestimate your ability to underestimate the elements.
• Don’t sail after sunset.

WATER SAFETY:

• A large percentage of child deaths are due to a child drowning. Adult supervision near water is essential– it can only take two minutes for a child to drown.
• A small child can drown in as little as 4 cm of water, depending on age and health status of the child. Watch those nappy buckets and other buckets filled with water.
• If holidaying by the seaside, beware of lagoons– there are often strong currents, which could carry a child out to sea.
• Watch for lilos. A child could be swept beyond his depth and find himself in danger. Do not think if your child is wearing a buoyancy aid or water wings he is safe. They still need supervision because the can easily tip over.
• Always take note of safety notices and swim where there are lifesavers and between the marked flags.
• Always supervise children especially the young near water. Even if they can swim, they still need to be watched.
• Swimming pools should be fully fenced with self-closing and self-latching gates. SABS specifications on pool fences are available.
• Don’t prop the pool fence gate open. Many children have drowned in fenced pools because someone left the gate open.
• Make sure there is nothing for your child to climb onto near the pool fence i.e. pot plants, trees. Make sure your child does not have access to the pool from the house.
• If you don’t want to make use of a fence, install a pool safety net. These should always be kept on when the pool is not in use and once taken off, children should be supervised. Always use pool nets according to instructions.
• Never rely on flotation devices to protect your child.
• When visiting Friend or family that has a pool, take extra care when you have small children and supervise them at all times near water.

HIKING OR CAMPING:

• Never go hiking alone.
• Make sure you are properly equipped with sufficient food, clothing and first aid supplies.
• Stick to well marked routes and routes that you know. Make sure that someone knows where you are going and what route you are taking.
• Beware of poisonous plants– children should never be allowed to pick fruit or berries from plants they don’t recognize.
• Take care, folding camp tables are easily knocked over.
• Only make braai fires in safe places.
• Never pour flammable liquid onto fires.
• Braai fires should be put out with water not sand.
• Keep matches out of the reach of children.
• Carefully label containers with poisonous substances.
• Keep all poisons out of the reach of children.
• Teach children what to do when they get lost in the mountains.
• Always keep an eye on your children.
• Beware of other children camping near you– be especially careful when driving in caravan parks.
• Never leave children alone in tents, cars and caravans.

SUN SAFETY:

Sunburn to children can be a problem throughout the year but especially in summer months.

• Parents and caregivers should protect children from the sun.
• Very young children should be kept out of the sun as their extremely sensitive skin can burn easily.
• Try and keep children out of the sun between danger hours: ±11h00 - ±15h00.
• All children especially under six years should use clothing and hats to protect them against sunburn.
• Everyone should use sun block on body parts exposed to the sun, for example hands, arms, feet and face. (Choose a sun block that is water resistant).
• Remember sunburn also occurs when it is cloudy and children need protection under these conditions.

KEEP YOURSELVES AND YOUR CHILDREN ENTERTAINED, KEEP THEM SAFE AND HAVE A HAPPY AND ENJOYABLE HOLIDAY.

Compiled by: CHILD ACCIDENT PREVENTION FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.