Dear Reader
Most injuries to children could have been prevented. Every day I see people taking risks with those totally dependent on them: their children. These parents and caregivers do not think that tragedy will strike so close to their home and they don’t believe they could lose someone they love so dearly...
There is always something more to do and learn to ensure that our children are kept safe and to prevent them from sustaining unnecessary injuries. In saying this, I fully understand that some situations are out of our control. Tragedy can still strike even when we have the best precautions in place.
Firstly, as a mother, I understand how valuable your children are to you. I urge you to use this booklet as a guideline to keep your children safe. Secondly, as a nurse working in the emergency medicine and trauma environment, I am too often faced with the horror of children being injured in falls and motor vehicle crashes, or being burnt in instances where these injuries possibly could have been prevented. Simple measures like using car seats, keeping your child seated in the back of the car until they are at least 150cm in height or 12 years old, ensuring a safe playground area, putting your phone or tablet down and paying attention to what your child is doing can prevent injuries and have lifesaving results.
We have only the here and now to keep our children safe; please do not be ignorant by thinking “it will never happen to me”. I strongly feel that no child should die while playing on a playground, having fun at a party or in a pool!
If this booklet prevents even one child from being injured, and assists you with the knowledge on what to do in the horrific event that an accident does happen, we have succeeded.
Stay safe,