Central West parents should watch out for button batteries this Christmas and supervise children closely around vehicles, pools, and other bodies of water to avoid accidents and potential tragedies.
“I would urge everyone with a pool at home to make sure their pools are properly fenced and that they learn the principles of basic life support,’’ Central West Hospital and Health Service Executive Director of Medical Services Dr David Walker said.
“If there are young children nearby, never leave them unsupervised in or around a pool, creek, dam, pond, or any body of water for that matter.
“Keep an eye on them at all times. It can happen so quickly. Kids are masters at slipping away when you aren’t looking and pools, creeks, ponds, and other bodies of water are like magnets to them.
“And not just around bodies of water, always supervise kids around vehicles also.
“It’s so easy for a child to slip away unseen and get behind or under a vehicle, just as you are about to drive off or back out of a driveway and think the way is clear.
“They can also dart out from nowhere and into the path of a moving vehicle without any warning.
“So, always keep an eye out. Don’t just think your way is clear – make sure it’s clear.’’
As well as paying close attention to water safety and safety around vehicles, Central West parents also should watch out for button battery hazards, Dr Walker said.
“So many products and devices in our homes contain button batteries, from digital kitchen and bathroom scales to key fobs, remote controls, calculators, toys, festive ornaments and musical greeting cards,’’ he said.
“They present not just a choking hazard, but if swallowed or inserted in the nose or ear, the battery charge can cause an internal caustic injury. This can be fatal.’’
Dr Walker said parents should keep a close eye on products that contain button batteries, small parts and powerful magnets and ensure they are secured.
An easy way to remember how to stay safe this Christmas is to keep in mind the six Ss of toy
safety:
*Size – the smaller the child, the bigger the toy should be. Parts smaller than a ping pong ball could choke a child under three years.
*Shape – be wary of products that could be easily swallowed and have sharp points or edges.
*Surface – small children will place objects in their mouths so make sure that all materials and finishes are non-toxic.
*Strings – any strings over 30 cm long may pose a strangulation hazard for a small child and should be removed.
*Supervision – there is no substitute for close supervision by parents and carers.
*Secure battery compartments - make sure that battery covers are secure and small children cannot access them.
“If a child swallows a battery, symptoms may mimic common childhood illnesses, with drooling, vomiting, or coughing the most common,’’ Dr Walker said.
“The child may also have chest pain, abdominal pain and diarrhoea and may refuse hard food, or have a fever.’’
Dr Walker said if parents thought their child had swallowed or inserted a button battery, they should call the state-wide poisons information call line on 13 11 26 and seek medical help immediately.
*For more information about pool safety, see: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/1/79/518/pool-safety
*About button batteries, see: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/accidents-injuries- and-poisonings/safety-in-the-home/button-batteries