Avoid a trip to the ED this summer
- Safety warning for families about the dangers of eRideables and lithium batteries
- Queensland families are reminded to supervise children in and around pools.
- One in four drowning deaths in children aged 0 to 4 years occur in swimming pools.
With the warm weather already here, the outdoors is calling us to go and have fun in the water, but the Office of Fair Trading has some timely safety tips for families to enjoy a safe summer.
Water safety
Figures from Royal Life Saving Australia show 281 people lost their lives to drowning across Australia in 2022-23, including 23 children under 14 years old.
One in four drowning deaths in children aged 0 to 4 occurred in a swimming pool, so we want everyone to keep water safety front of mind including in portable pools.
Portable pools might be small and seem safe, but they pose a significant drowning risk to children if there is more than 30 centimetres of water and no fencing around the pool.
Also be aware that floatation and aquatic toys are not safety devices, so never assume that kids are safe in the water while wearing them, supervision is essential.
eRideables
A fun way for kids to zip around outdoors is on a motorised scooter but it’s important to remember these devices are not toys and are dangerous if used incorrectly.
eRideable accidents have increased due to their growing popularity. Parents and caregivers should always:
- only purchase age-appropriate devices.
- make sure kids wear a helmet.
- only allow one person per device.
Lithium-ion batteries
Families should also be careful of items around the home including laptops, phones, e-scooters and e-bikes that contain lithium-ion batteries which can catch fire, especially in summer conditions.
Be summer safe:
- monitor eRideables when they are on charge.
- unplug once fully charged.
- always ensure the charger you are using is suitable for the battery in the product.
- follow manufacturer instructions.
- charge batteries or products away from combustible materials such as sofas or carpet to avoid fires and serious injuries.
- purchase replacement batteries from the original supplier or a reputable supplier where possible.
- don’t use batteries, products or chargers that show signs of damage such as overheating, swelling or venting gas.
- don’t leave products in hot places such as direct sunlight or parked vehicles.
- don’t put products with lithium-ion batteries in household rubbish, recycling bins or kerbside hard waste collections.
Button batteries in Christmas toys
Button batteries can be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly to small children. Check all toys, Christmas novelties and other products to ensure that any button batteries are in a secure, child resistant compartment not accessible by children.
If swallowed or inserted, button batteries can become stuck and burn through soft tissue in as little as two hours.
Every week around 20 children in Australia present to the hospital after swallowing a button battery, so it’s vital for parents to check that button batteries can’t be easily accessed or come loose when an item is dropped or breaks.
Seek medical attention If you believe your child has swallowed a button/coin battery, immediately call the 24 hour Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26. If this is not possible go straight to the hospital emergency room.
For more summer safety tips visit: https://www.productsafety.gov.au/news/be-summer-safe-2023.
Quotes attributable to the Fair Trading Commissioner Victoria Thomson:
“When it comes to children’s safety, there is no substitute for adult supervision, so parents and carers should keep constant watch around any water source.
“For families looking to purchase battery operated toys, eRideables or portable pools for Christmas please take the time to read the instructions and safety warnings.
“We want families to make the most of the summer break and not end up in the Emergency Department over an accident that could have been avoided.”