Child Safe Champion

Summer Safety Reminder

By Child Safe Champion, Leanne Clements

As the warm weather arrives, families are spending more time outdoors enjoying pools, parks, bikes and all the fun summer brings. 

It’s also an ideal time to make sure our homes and routines support children’s safety. 

A few simple checks can make a big difference.

Water Safety: Layer Up for Protection

Children are naturally drawn to water, so thinking in layers of safety can help prevent accidents: secure barriers, working gates, active supervision, swimming confidence, and knowing what to do in an emergency.

If you or family and friends have a pool or spa, remember to:

• Check fences, barriers and gates for wear and tear - and repair them.
• Store pool toys away after use to reduce temptation.
• Rely on supervision, not floaties - these do not keep children safe.
• Practice active supervision: stay within arm’s reach, avoid distractions, and nominate a dedicated adult to watch the water.
• Build confidence with swimming lessons and regular water play.
• Update CPR and first aid skills - a short refresher can save a life.

Driveway Safety: SUPERVISE, SEPARATE & SEE

Driveways are busy, shared spaces, and young children can move quickly and unpredictably. On average in Australia, 7 children aged 0–14 are killed and 60 seriously injured each year in driveway run-over incidents - most often at their own home or that of someone they know. In 85% of cases, the driver did not know a child was nearby.

Help prevent driveway accidents by:

• Always knowing where children are before moving a vehicle.
• Keeping driveways clear of play areas.
• Holding hands and keeping children close around vehicles.
• Separating play zones from driveways wherever possible.

Car Seat Safety: Right Seat, Right Fit

Children should remain in a forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness until they reach the seat’s maximum size limit - turning four doesn’t automatically mean they’re ready for a booster seat.

For children aged 4 to 7 years:

• Use a forward-facing seat with a harness, or a booster seat with a correctly fastened and adjusted seatbelt.
• Children must not sit in the front seat unless all rear seats are occupied by other children under 7.

Best practice tip: Choose a booster that suits your child’s height and will last as long as possible, especially for taller children.

Hot Cars: Never Leave Children Inside

Temperatures inside parked cars can rise 20–30°C higher than outside - even on mild days. At just 30°C outdoors, the inside of a car can reach 60°C within minutes.

Heatstroke, dehydration and death can occur very quickly. Never leave a child alone in a vehicle - even for a moment.

Road Safety: STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, THINK

Our educators teach children to follow this four-step method every time they cross a road:

1. STOP one step back from the kerb.
2. LOOK in all directions.
3. LISTEN for traffic.
4. THINK about whether it’s safe to cross.

Encourage children to walk straight across the road and continue to look and listen as they cross.

Ride Safe!

Trikes, bikes, scooters and skateboards are great fun, but safety should always come first.

• Always supervise children while riding.
• Use properly fitted safety gear—helmets, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads.
• Choose safe spaces away from roads and driveways.
• Make sure equipment is the right size and suited to your child’s abilities.

Remember to supervise in playgrounds too -active adults help prevent injuries.

Button Batteries: Hidden but Dangerous

Many everyday household devices use button batteries. If swallowed, they can become stuck in the throat and cause severe tissue burns in under two hours.

In Australia, around 20 children each week present to emergency departments with button battery injuries - most under five years old.

Keep children safe by:

• Storing devices and spare batteries out of reach.
• Ensuring battery compartments are secure.
• Checking toys and gadgets regularly.

If you suspect a child has swallowed a button battery: Call the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 (24/7). 

Act fast - do not wait for symptoms.

These reminders can help keep children safe at home, on the road and in the community. 

We hope you enjoy a happy and relaxing season ahead. For those returning next year, we look forward to welcoming you back. For those moving on, we send our warmest wishes for a bright and exciting future.

Statistics and information from Kidsafe Victoria.