TAKE CARE AND HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR

In the cartoon, has an "accident" occurred? Note: An accident according to Collins English Dictionary is "an unforeseen event or one without an apparent cause". Synonyms for "accidental" include chance, unlucky, unexpected, unplanned, unanticipated, unforeseen, random

Spot the ‘A’ccidents, check the ‘A’ttitudes

People are always asking us at Safekids "But WHY does New Zealand have such an appallingly high rate of serious child injury?" Looking through some of the media this year we wonder: Could it be something to with our Attitudes?

For example, take the coroner who, commenting on the death of child, in a cot which was "in bad shape" with "metal arms that were obviously faulty", said "This was an eventuality which could not have been predicted." Coroners' comments are potentially an important source of strong injury prevention messages. A timely warning to parents about safety would perhaps have been useful in raising awareness about the dangers of faulty nursery equipment.

Then there’s the writer of a letter published in one of our weekly papers who agrees with "moves to remove the ridiculous legislation which requires home swimming pools to be fenced. The main purpose of the legislation seems to be to prevent trespassers from doing themselves harm. It does nothing to prevent the drowning of children who have a legitimate right to be in a pool." Surely the writer is not suggesting that drowning is a reasonable price to pay if you are 18 months old, for example, and have toddled uninvited into your neighbour’s garden?

The city councillor who blames the tenants in rented house for child health problems resulting from the condition of the houses considers that "These health problems have been caused by years of neglect and abuse by tenants." Tenants do indeed have responsibilities, but they are not the only people involved in the deterioration of property. What might be the landlord’s responsibility? What might be the city’s responsibilities?

Then there is the underlying attitude to the fact that children’s safety in New Zealand is not given a high enough priority with decision-makers in many national and local agencies. This fact was highlighted in a study by the Ministry of Health on barriers to child injury prevention, which also found that "injuries were seen as part of growing up, safety was regarded as boring and unadventurous, and safety requirements were often not taken seriously."

There is obviously still a lot of work to be done in terms of influencing and changing attitudes towards injury in childhood. When child safety and well-being are regarded as a basic human right throughout our culture we may then begin to see fewer injuries and deaths.

But on a more POSITIVE NOTE:
‘A’ffirmitive ‘A’ction Down South

Otago Museum responded to a visitor Comments form completed by a visiting mother, Louise Pagonis. Louise was concerned that a water feature in the ‘Discovery World’ section of the Museum was a water hazard for young children. Not only did Otago Museum resolve the problem by securing a perspex shield across the area of concern, but they also wrote to thank Louise for making them aware of the issue! This story shows that there are some positive attitudes out there, and a willingness to offer and accept advice and resolve issues. Congratulations to Louise Pagonis and to Otago Museum!

Louise Pagonis with her two sons, Oliver (6 ½ years) and William (20 months)

BABYWALKER UPDATE

NEW RESEARCH LINKS BABYWALKERS WITH CHILD DEVELOPMENT DELAYS

A study reported in the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics reveals that children who use babywalkers show developmental delays in crawling and walking. The authors conclude that considering the injury data along with this new developmental data, the risks of babywalker use far outweigh the benefits. Clinicians in New Zealand and around the world have been saying this for quite a while.

Safekids are researching the available data in New Zealand and reviewing the international research, and consulting with our partners in child safety, to assess the risks babywalkers pose and how best to prevent babywalker injuries in New Zealand. We are preparing a position paper that summarises the data and research and suggests prevention strategies at all levels. This paper will be released in February 2000, and Safekids will ensure its wide delivery to the child injury prevention workforce.

In the meantime Safekids recommends that parents destroy their babywalkers, as they are hazardous and associated with unacceptably high, yet preventable, rates of injury.

THERMAL INJURIES – NEW DATA

Burn and scald injuries can be painful, physically disfiguring, psychologically devastating and, in some cases, fatal. Often they can be prevented.

Safekids has just completed a study of child burn and scald injuries and deaths in the Auckland region. We are hoping to complete a national data analysis soon.

The Auckland study found that four children died in fires between 1995 and 1996. A further 639 children were hospitalised by burn and scald injuries between 1995 and 1998 in the Auckland region alone. These burns were serious and the children were, on average, hospitalised for a week.

It was discovered that three-quarters of child thermal injuries were caused by hot liquids and substances, such as hot water from drinks, kettles, taps and baths.

Toddlers were most at risk from burns and scalds with over one-third of all injuries involving one year olds. The vast majority of those burnt and scalded (78%) were pre-schoolers.

Clearly babies and small children are particularly vulnerable to burn and scald hazards. When they are burnt, the injuries are often more serious.

Although this study focused on child injuries in the Auckland region it is likely that the findings reflect national trends.

NEW ZEALAND INJURY PREVENTION NETWORK CO ORDINATOR APPOINTED

Kia ora tatou, I’m Pania Shingleton the new injury prevention network co ordinator, based in Whangarei. I’m of Te Ati Awa descent from Arapaoa Island (the mainland) and Ngati Rarua (Golden Bay, Nelson). I’m really pleased to be working for the network having spent the past three years at Northland Health working as an injury prevention and community development officer. My qualifications and experience is a real mix of journalism, public relations and marketing and the essential Health Promotion Diploma!

"You get plenty of practise at injury prevention with two small children," says Pania Shingleton. She’s pictured here with her family enjoying the sunny North – (from left) son Arapaoa Moffat (5) Pania, husband Robert and Irihapeti (3).

I don’t know how in the past five years I fitted the Diploma in, worked part time and had two babies but somehow….Voila.

This contract has certainly kept me busy since November 1. I’m now preparing the background discussion document which looks at how other national organisations, especially public health are structured and operated (this will give us options on how to set up our own network).

It’s been wonderful to see the response from other health organisations willing to give their time and assistance at quite short notice. A big thank you to all those who responded with their tips on how to form an effective network structure for Maori and non-Maori.

The next step will be to send this out as a consultation document in mid December to injury prevention workers. It is really important that you have your say, so please encourage your colleagues and other organisations, particularly Maori, Pacific Island and migrants to give their input.

This feedback will help the working group identify the most appropriate structure which will be presented to a national forum in Wellington. Our deadline for setting up the network as a legal entity is July 2000.

KIDSAFE WEEK SECURE FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS   We are delighted to announce that Kidsafe Week has finally achieved a secure financial base, at least for the next three years. The Health Funding Authority, ACC and the Land Transport Safety Authority have all agreed to provide three year funding contracts. This will allow Safekids as the co ordinating agency to more effectively plan ahead for the next 3 Kidsafe Weeks. This is fantastic news and we acknowledge our sincere thanks to the agencies involved, for this commitment to child injury prevention in New Zealand.

EVALUATION SHOWS KIDSAFE WEEK HAS A GREAT IMPACT

An external impact evaluation study of Kidsafe Week 1999 by the Injury Prevention Research Centre (IPRC) at the University of Auckland has shown that target audiences were reached, awareness was raised and behaviour changes that impact positively on child injury resulted.

Three different target groups were surveyed and results are outlined below:

Parents of Pre-schoolers

• General awareness of Kidsafe Week was very high - 76% of the respondents
• Of those who had received the Checklists 98% had read the Hot Water Safety Checklist and 95% had read the Home Electrical Safety Checklist
• Improvement in knowledge as a result of the Checklist was very encouraging with positive changes in both behaviour and practices resulting in approximately one third of the respondents

School Principals

• All school principals surveyed were aware of Kidsafe Week

• The resource most frequently recalled by principals was Chaos at the School Gate. Just over half the schools were either making changes, or planning to make changes, to their school policy and practices as a result of Kidsafe Week 1999.

Councillors and Community Board Members

• All but one of the respondents stated that Kidsafe Week 1999 activities and resources raised their awareness of the need for TLAs to take a proactive role in child safety
• 53% of respondents indicated that they were likely to be making changes in policies and practices as a result of Kidsafe Week 1999.

The researchers conclude that Safekids and Kidsafe Week play an important part in the promotion of child safety in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

It's great to know that all the hard work by the Coalitions, Safekids and other Key Agencies is indeed having a positive impact. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED!

HOME WATER SAFETY CHECK LIST COMPETITION PRIZE Eleanor Otu could hardly believe she had won a $1,000 prize as part of the Kidsafe Week Home Water Safety Checklist competition. Eleanor who lives in Auckland with her husband and pre-schooler was overwhelmed when she heard the news. Currently renting a home, Eleanor chose to have her prize money used to fence her mothers property, where she and her family spend a great deal of time. Her mothers' home is directly across the road from a playground and Eleanor has found that her son and his cousins were always wanting to cross the road, in order to get to the playground. It's proved impossible for Eleanor and her mum to always keep the children indoors, or under constant supervision. The fence now means that he and his cousins can be kept safely on the property until Eleanor is able to accompany them to the playground.

Eleanor Otu and the children at Pt Chevalier Kindergarten, have all benefited from the prize money awarded as part of the Kidsafe Week Home Water Safety Checklist competition.

Pt Chevalier Kindergarten were also thrilled to receive their $1,000 prize money and soon identified their safety priority. The Kindergarten needed to reduce the height of their climbing platform to 1.5 metres in order to decrease the risk of fall injuries to children attending the centre. The work was quickly completed and the lowered platform was all ready for the children when they returned in Term 4.

HOME ELECTRICAL SAFETY CHECK LIST COMPETITION PRIZE

3 year old Kayla Carlson proudly displays the RCD (safety switch)on her home switch board installed as part of her Kidsafe Week Prize.

3 year old Kayla Carlson proudly displays the RCD (safety switch)on her home switch board installed as part of her Kidsafe Week Prize. The Carlson family of Hamilton won the Kidsafe Week Electrical Safety Prize of $1,000 safety fit out for their home. Kayla attends Jamieson Kindergarten and during Kidsafe Week brought home a Kidsafe Week Electrical Safety Checklist for her mum and dad to fill out. Not only did the Carlson's win $1,000 to spend on their home, they also nominated Jamieson Kindergarten to receive the Early Childhood Centre prize of another $1,000. The Kidsafe Week Electrical Safety Checklist clearly had a major impact with both the Carlson's and Jamieson Kindergarten spending their respective prize money on improving the electrical safety of both environments.

GOING OFF WITH A BANG

The North Harbour Injury Prevention Group has been dressing up this November as part of a campaign on how to handle fireworks safely. These "bridal veils" and "flowerpots" have been seen in Warehouse stores and along main streets helping to spread the message around safe handling and storage of fireworks.

"There is generally a lack of research and information around fireworks safety campaigns in New Zealand and internationally, so we decided to take on a unique approach to raise the awareness of fireworks safety", says Toni Dale, Public Health Promotion.

While injuries have dropped with the banning of crackers and skyrockets, fireworks can still cause major burns mainly to the hands and face, and eye injuries if not handled properly. Unfortunately, unlike Australia who has banned the sale of fireworks and restricted fireworks to organised displays, New Zealand still continues to sell fireworks with the majority of these being sold through The Warehouse.

"Having support from The Warehouse for our campaign meant that the Group were able to target their energy to buyers at The Warehouse. The Warehouse also had staff that ‘manned’ the fireworks section to ensure that children under age were not buying the fireworks", says Toni.

If people have stocked up their fireworks for millennium parties, there are some important safety tips to remember to ensure no one gets hurt:

• Keep fireworks always out of reach of young children.

• Fireworks should always be handled with responsible adult supervision.
• Choose a safe place to let off your fireworks: an open space, away from anything that could catch fire.
• Have a bucket of water, or a hose, available in case of an emergency.
• Let one firework off at a time, and ALWAYS FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS.
• Light fireworks at arms length, then move quickly away to a safe distance.
• Never lean over a firework to light it.
• If a firework doesn’t appear to ignite, don’t approach it for 4 minutes. It may have a slow fuse and still go off.
• Keep pets indoors.