The cost of injuries to children in Australia is estimated at $1 billion annually with 5000 children seeking medical attention each day. Kidsafe, the Australian Child Accident Prevention Foundation has opened a unique web site which will provide Local Government throughout Australia with the opportunity to access a wide range of prepackaged child accident prevention campaigns.
The Kidsafe Safety Shop and Information Centre has been developed for parents to visit with their children to learn about safety issues, and will have a special section for Local Government that will provide media releases, promotional strategies and merchandise to promote programs.
The Kidsafe Shop and Information Centre will consolidate Kidsafe’s activities with local councils through the risk prevention awareness program ‘Look Before You Leap’ which features Freddo Frog, one of Australia’s best known children’s characters.
As part of this program, and in the wake of the tragic number of drownings on Australia’s beaches, Kidsafe recently launched a ‘Swim Between the Flags’ campaign. Supported by a number of Local Government bodies, material was made available to councils from the Kidsafe web site within days of the incidents.
The Look Before You Leap program is to be extended in 1998 to cover Bus Safety, Seat Belt Safety, Helmet Wearing, Water Safety, Pedestrian Safety and Safety Around The Home.
Councils wanting more information on how to take part in the Kidsafe program can register their interest directly from the Kidsafe Safety Shop and Information Centre which can be found at www.greenweb.com.au or you can phone (03) 9818 5700.
