Child Safety

On average, each day 5000 Australian children seek medical attention as a result of accidents. Of these, 1700 need some form of medical treatment, 200 are hospitalised and one child will die from accidents. (Source: Stocktake and case studies of Australian legislation and other measures designed to prevent non-intentional injuries in children: Phase 1 Report [Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing], 2001)

This topic focuses not only on the treatment of injuries, but also on prevention and safety. Here you'll find information ranging from the correct use of infant car restraints to tips on what to look for when purchasing a safe cot.

A wide range of information on safety issues is available from:

Updated Sept 2007

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Related HealthInsite Topics
Anaphylaxis
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to resources about anaphylaxis (sudden, severe and potentially life threatening allergic reaction) and what you should do in an emergency.
Bites and Stings
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on bites and stings and how to treat them.
Burns and Scalds
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about burns and scalds, and their treatment and prevention.
Child Abuse
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on where to go for help and support services and what to do if you or someone you know has or is being abused.
Choking
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about preventing asphyxiation and choking and what to do if it happens.
Falls Prevention
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about preventing injuries from falls, particularly in children and older people.
Fires and Fire Safety
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to resources relating to fires and the prevention of deaths and injuries from fires.
First Aid
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on using first aid, including first aid kits and equipment.
Food Allergies
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about food hypersensitivities and allergies.
Heat Safety
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to the health effects of heat, including heat exhaustion.
Head Injuries
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about head injuries in children and adults.
Home Safety
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information about the safety of furniture and other goods within the home, including nursery equipment.
Play Safety
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on safety issues for children when playing and using play equipment, including information on sports injuries and playground and bicycle safety.
Poisoning
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on poisoning.
Transport-Related Injury
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on injuries caused by transport or traffic accidents.
Travel with Children
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information and tips about travelling with children.
Water Safety
HealthInsite Topic Page
Links to information on water safety and drowning prevention.
73 Resources Found
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
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Title:   Meningococcal disease
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Meningococcal disease is any infection caused by meningococci bacteria. These germs can cause meningitis (an infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord) and septicaemia (an infection in the bloodstream). The infection can develop quickly and may cause serious illness or death. Early diagnosis and emergency treatment with antibiotics are vital.
Date:   Sep 2008
Title:   Endotracheal intubation at birth for preventing morbidity and mortality in vigorous, meconium-stained infants born at term
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Routine endotracheal intubation at birth in vigorous term meconium-stained babies not shown to be superior to routine resuscitation including suction
Title:   Positive end-expiratory pressure for resuscitation of newborn infants at birth
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Effective ventilation is the key to successful neonatal resuscitation. Positive pressure ventilation is initiated with manual ventilation devices which may or not deliver positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Its use is ubiquitous in mechanical ventilation in neonatal intensive care.
Title:   Air versus oxygen for resuscitation of infants at birth
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   100% oxygen is the commonly recommended gas for the resuscitation of infants at birth. There is growing evidence from both animal and human studies that room air is as effective as 100% oxygen and that 100% oxygen may have adverse effects on breathing physiology and cerebral circulation...
Title:   Laryngeal mask airway versus bag-mask ventilation or endotracheal intubation for neonatal resuscitation
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Most newborns are vigorous at birth, but a small number need to be helped with breathing (assisted ventilation) in the delivery room. If infants do not have effective breathing soon after birth, they canbecome severely depressed, so rapidly providing ef...
Date:   Dec 2004
Title:   Epinephrine for the resuscitation of apparently stillborn or extremely bradycardic newborn infants
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Some babies are born with a very slow heart beat (extreme bradycardia) or their hearts have stopped beating shortly before birth (apparent stillbirth). Although they may appear to be close to death, it may be possible to revive these babies. Epinephrine...
Date:   Apr 2002
Title:   Farm safety
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Children on farms often help around the farm. They also might do things that may not be safe, such as using machinery and maybe driving tractors, ag-bikes and other farm vehicles.
Date:   Oct 2008
Title:   Interventions for treating wrist fractures in children
Publisher:   John Wiley and Sons, Ltd. for The Cochrane Collaboration
Description:   Approximately a third of all fractures in children occur at the wrist as a result of falling onto an outstretched hand. Some fractures are relatively minor and involve a bulging of the bone surface. These are buckle fractures and they are traditionally ...
Date:   Feb 2008
Title:   Child safety
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Young children need to have a safe environment. They are too young to take care of their own safety. They cannot understand danger.
Date:   Jul 2008
Title:   Farm safety - machinery
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Machinery, particularly tractors, are a major cause of death and injury on farms. Common tractor accidents involve roll-overs, run overs and unguarded power take-off shafts. These types of accidents can be prevented.
Date:   Feb 2007
Title:   Fractures - bone healing
Publisher:   Sydney Children's Hospital,The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Description:   This page explains what happens when children's bones break, how the bone reforms, and what is needed to help bone heal.
Date:   Aug 2000
Title:   Eyes - protecting your eyes
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   Eyes are very important to us so we have to be careful to look after them. They show us our world and they show others how we are feeling.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Plaster care instructions for patients
Publisher:   Sydney Children's Hospital,The Children's Hospital at Westmead
Description:   Instructions are given to care for patients with newly set plaster. This includes: elevate the limb, things to avoid, and check circulation.
Date:   Aug 2000
Title:   School-age safety: in a nutshell
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   This in-a-nutshell guide looks at safety for school age children including stranger danger, internet and playground safety.
Date:   May 2008
Title:   Bottle feeding - safety issues
Publisher:   Better Health Channel
Description:   Bottle-feeding equipment can harbour disease-causing bacteria if not properly handled, cleaned and sterilised. Other potential hazards include incorrectly preparing artificial formula and overheating the milk.
Date:   Jun 2007
Title:   Bath safety
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   Tips for keeping baby's bath time fun and safe. Includes information on water temperature
Date:   May 2006
Title:   Internet safety
Publisher:   Novita Children's Services
Description:   Guidelines are provided for parents about how to ensure that their children are not at risk using the world wide web.
Date:   Dec 2007
Title:   Bathing a newborn - in pictures
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   This Parenting in Pictures guide demonstrates how to safety bathe a newborn baby.
Date:   May 2008
Title:   Dummies: pros and cons
Publisher:   Raising Children Network (RCN)
Description:   Opinions differ about dummies, and there are advantages and disadvantages for parents to consider; advice on choosing a dummy and safety tips.
Date:   Aug 2006
Title:   Child development: 1-2 years
Publisher:   Child and Youth Health - CYH (South Australia)
Description:   The time between one and two is one of rapid change. Your baby is on the move and discovering the world. Parenting becomes demanding in a different way because you have to think about safety and setting limits .
Date:   Sep 2008
Results 1 to 20 displayed.
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