How common are injuries around the home?

Every parent or carer wants to keep their baby safe from harm. But it can be hard to know how to protect small children who can be most at risk. Unfortunately, studies have shown that the most common place for any injury to occur is in the home.

Each year, almost 70,000 Australian children (aged 0 to 14 years) are hospitalised for injuries or accidents. From 2016 to 2018, more than 500 children died as a result of injuries or accidents.

What types of injuries and accidents can happen?

Injuries to children happen because of hazards — which is anything that can cause harm. The best way to avoid injury is to spot hazards and remove or make changes so your child doesn't get hurt.

Children may be at risk of:

• falls
• drowning
• poisoning
• burns and scalds
• choking and strangulation
• electrocution
• finger jams

How can I make my home safe for my child?

You can use the Kidsafe home safety checklist to help keep your home safe.

It's impossible to guard against every hazard in every situation. However, your child will be safer, and you'll feel more relaxed if you know they're in a safe environment.

It can be very useful for parents to do a first aid course so you know what to do if your child is hurt or there is an emergency.

There are different things you can try to protect your child from having an injury or accident.

Drowning

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children less than 5 years of age, mostly in swimming pools.

You should:

• supervise your child any time they are near water
• never leave your baby unattended in the bath
• learn resuscitation and take a class in first aid

As well as bathtubs and swimming pools, you should also:

• cover dog bowls containing water
• always put the toilet lid down
• keep any buckets of water out of the reach of children, like when you are soaking clothes

Read more about water safety for babies.

Poisoning

If you think your child has been poisoned, call the Poisons Information Hotline on 13 11 26.

Children are naturally curious and don't understand that poisons and chemicals could harm them. Many products in the home can cause harm to your child.

To prevent your child from accessing chemicals, be sure to:

• store poisons and chemicals in a locked cupboard, ideally 1.5 metres above the floor
• use child resistant locks on cupboards
• lock away medication and store them in their original, labelled packaging
• read labels before giving any medication to your child — if you are not sure, speak with a pharmacist

Read more about medicine and poison safety in the home.

Burns and scalds

For serious burns and scalds, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance.

Young children can be burned and scalded very quickly, even when an adult is around. Children aged under 5 are at most risk.

To keep your child safe from burns and scalds, you can:

• keep hot food and drinks out of your child's reach
• when cooking, use the back elements of your stove and turn pot handles towards the wall
• use a hot water tempering device to control water temperature to a maximum of 50°C — you can ask your plumber for advice on how to do this
• run cold water first and last when bathing your child
• place a guard or barrier around any heaters or fireplaces in your home

If you child gets a burn or a scald, there is first aid you can do. Let cool water run over the skin for at least 20 minutes. Remove clothing immediately. Never use butter, oil or ice on the skin. Speak to your doctor for advice.

Read more about first aid for burns and scalds.

Choking and suffocation

Check your home and any space your child can get to for small items. Children often explore their surroundings by putting things in their mouth. Small items can cause choking.

To prevent your child from choking, you should:

• stay with your child when they're eating
• avoid giving your child hard, small pieces of food — instead give them grated, mashed or chopped foods
• remove bones from your child's food
• check that toys are safe and don't contain button batteries or small parts, such as button eyes or loose ties
• be up to date on first aid so you can provide immediate support if your child chokes on something

To prevent your child from suffocating, you should:

• keep plastic bags out of reach of your child
• tie up blind cords, or use a shortening device to keep cords at least 1600 mm above the floor
• place plastic packaging securely in the bin, away from where your child can access it

Electrocution

Experts report that around 75% of the electrical injuries to children happen at home.

You should:

• use safety switches — you can ask an electrician for more information
• unplug electrical appliances when they're not being used
• use plug-in covers to stop your child from poking things into the power points
• use a wall mounted heater in the bathroom

Finger jams

Finger jam injuries happen when fingers are crushed in the hinge side of doors.

To prevent these injuries, you should:

• check where your child's fingers are when closing doors
• use wedges or catches to keep internal doors from slamming shut
• use safety strips to guard the hinge side of doors which need to be closed

Toys

Toys which are broken or not age appropriate can be risky.

There are things you can do to make sure your child's toys are safe.

• Check toys regularly to make sure they're intact.
• Throw away toys which have become brittle or with sharp edges.
• Choose toys which comply with the Australian Safety Standard.
• Use toys which are sturdy and are suitable for your child's age and stage of development.

Read more about how to choose safe toys for your child.

Dog bites

If you are thinking about getting a family dog, you can talk to your local shelter or the RSCPA about what dog may be best for your family.

You should always supervise your child around animals and pets.

Any dog is capable of biting a child, even a loved and trusted family dog.

It is important to teach your child to be respectful of dogs. This includes teaching them to:

• pat dogs in areas where they can see your child coming
• not kiss or squeeze a dog, especially on their head
• not hit dogs or pull their ears or tail
• not approach them when they are eating
• give them space if they growl or try to back away

It is also important to teach your child not to pat a dog unless checking first with the owner first.

If your child is too young to understand, you can help keep your child safe by learning about dog body language and supervising them when they are around dogs.

Read more about having pets in the home.

How can I keep my child safe outside of my home?

To keep your child safe outside of your home, there are some general things you can do.

• Know where your child is and who they're with.
• Check for hazards in your yard, garage and sheds.
• Check play equipment for safety and that it is stable and secure.
• Supervise your child when they're playing outside.

Cover ponds on your property with a grill. If you take your child to the beach or a pool, never leave them unattended.

Cars

It is important to supervise your child when they are on the driveway or around cars.

To prevent any accidents:

• take keys out of the car ignition and store them in a safe place
• block access to the driveway from the house
• hold your child's hand when they are around cars

You can read more about car and road safety for babies and children.

Farm accidents

If you are on a larger property or farm with your child, there are other safety considerations to keep in mind.

• Store tools, chemicals and equipment in locked sheds.
• Make silos inaccessible to children.
• Lock up firearms in a safe and store ammunition separately.
• Dress young children in bright colours so they can be easily seen.

Read more about rural safety.

How do I learn about first aid at home?

It's important to be able to quickly provide first aid to your child at home.

Keeping a first aid kit in your home and in your car means you always have easy access.

You should also take a first aid and CPR course. This way, you may feel more confident about doing what you can before help arrives if your child is injured.

There are many organisations which run first aid courses, including:

• Australian Red Cross, which offers a first aid for babies and children course and has a free app with first aid and CPR instructions
• St John Ambulance Australia which offers a caring for kid's course aimed at parents, grandparents and carers
• Royal Life Saving Australia
• The Sydney Children's Hospital Network, who provide CPR training

How do I learn about product safety and recalls?

Any products made or sold in Australia need to meet certain guidelines. These products include:

• clothing
• toys
• furniture
• car seats
• infant formula

Parents are able to check out the latest product recalls issued from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission relating to children's products.

The Product Safety Australia site has a list of all product recalls. You can also subscribe to email notifications or follow them on social media for the latest recalls.

Each recall lists the name of the product, what the issue is and how to return the product along with the relevant contact details.

Product Safety Australia also has a comprehensive guide to buying safe baby and kids products.

To find out more, visit Product Safety Australia at www.productsafety.gov.au.

Who should I contact in an emergency?

Any emergency situation which involves a sudden illness or injury is the time to call an ambulance.

Remember, your most important job in an emergency could be to ring for help.

Resources and support

For information on how to make your home safe for you child, you can read Kidsafe's guide for parents.