Discussion: Identify and describe current government guidelines/directives(Australian ones) in place to decrease unwarranted childhood injuries. including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS]

Discussion: Identify and describe current government guidelines/directives(Australian ones) in place to decrease unwarranted childhood injuries. including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS]

Discussion: Identify and describe current government guidelines/directives(Australian ones) in place to decrease unwarranted childhood injuries. including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS]

Child Safety Sample

Injury is a major health problem for children in Australia, with about 150 children dying annually due to injury. Kidsafe Australia is responsible for developing national Safety Guidelines to prevent unintentional child injury in home-based education and care services such as Family Day Care. The Safety Guidelines act as a tool to help foster a safer environment for children by: Identifying various potential risk areas; Giving information on the bare minimum safety requirements and legislation; Proposing how to address the risk; Giving additional resources and contact details; Providing an inclusive checklist to identify and minimize hazards in the environment (Kidsafe Australia, 2019).

BUY A CUSTOM- PAPER HERE ON;Discussion: Identify and describe current government guidelines/directives(Australian ones) in place to decrease unwarranted childhood injuries. including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS]

           Regarding Family Day Care, the government directives require that educators and assistants have a current approved first aid and CPR qualification. They are required to undergo current approved anaphylaxis and emergency asthma management training (Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority [ACECQA], (2017). In addition, Family Day Care must have an appropriately equipped, easily recognisable, and readily accessible first aid kit, available only to adults when an educator is educating and caring for children (Kidsafe Australia, 2021). Concerning emergency procedures, all Family Day Care educators must carry out a risk assessment to recognise hazards. This should inform the written evacuation procedure and floor plan in discussion with a coordinator from their service (Kidsafe Australia, 2021). The plan should be exhibited at each exit and evacuation procedure practised after three months and properly documented per the National Regulations.

           The government guidelines of fire prevention and management by the National Construction Code (NCC) direct that when using fire blankets, they should also be installed in the kitchen area, and one should be familiar with how to use the fire blankets during a fire breakout. Besides, the fire extinguishers and blankets should be checked bi-annually by recognised authorities. In addition, the NCC guidelines direct all homes to have smoke detectors (NCC, 2019). The smoke detectors must meet the Standard, be checked frequently to ensure they are operational and be positioned per the NCC requirements. Fire extinguishers should also be installed in homes and maintained as needed.

Falls, slips, and trips are the leading causes of injuries in children below five years, causing head injuries and fractures. The NCC directs that trenches and excavations should be completely covered by a solid material secured in position and able to support an adult’s weight. In addition, the NCC directs that ramps, stairways, corridors, external access balconies, hallways, and bridges be secured on one or more sides with barriers 1m or more above the floor or ground (Bierbaum et al., 2018). Guidelines on playground maintenance include daily assessment of all play areas and ensuring that play equipment is strong, durable, securely anchored, and rust-free. Besides, ropes top and bottom should be secured, and play equipment should be checked to ensure they do not have sharp edges or protruding parts that can pierce the skin or entangle clothing. 

Children are at risk of poisoning, with toddlers being most at risk owing to their tendency to put objects in their mouths. Safety recommendations require that poisonous substances be stored in their original containers. The substances should also be kept out of reach, inaccessible to young children, and returned to a secure place immediately after use (Kidsafe Australia, 2019). Furthermore, electrocution can cause severe injury and death to children. The Australian Standard and state electrical legislation require that all homes be fitted with electrical safety switches. The safety switches should be tested every three months. Regarding firearms injury, the National Firearms Safety Code requires parents to store firearms and ammunition separately and keep firearms locked and inaccessible to children (Commonwealth of Australia, 2002).

References

Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. (2017). National Quality Framework – Information Sheet –Requirements for Family Day Care Educators. Retrieved from https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2018- 09/RequirementsFDC.pdf

Bierbaum, M., Curtis, K., & Mitchell, R. (2018). Incidence and cost of hospitalisation of children with injuries from playground equipment falls in New South Wales, Australia. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 54(5), 556-562. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.13777

Commonwealth of Australia. (2002) National Firearms Safety Code. Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department. Canberra. Retrieved from https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3292359

Kidsafe Australia. (2021). Kidsafe Family Day Care Safety Guidelines. kidsafe Australia | Keeping Children Safe. https://kidsafe.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/

Kidsafe Australia. (2019) A Parent’s Guide to Kidsafe Australia Homes, Child Accident Prevention Foundation. Retrieved from https://kidsafe.com.au/wpcontent/uploads/2017/10/Kidsafe_Parents-Guide-to-Homes-NATIONAL.pdf

National Construction Code (NCC). (2019) Home Page. Retrieved from https://ncc.abcb.gov.au/

Identify and describe current government guidelines/directives(Australian one’s) in place to decrease unwarranted childhood injuries. including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS]
require approx. 600-700words if possible..