Severe injuries can be sustained from falling out of windows, from balconies and off verandas. To protect children from falls, adequate safety features
need to be incorporated into the design.
All stairs, balconies, verandas and walkways with a height greater than 600mm should be fitted with a balustrade.
All stairs, balconies, verandas and walkways with a height greater than 600mm should be fitted with a balustrade.
Kidsafe WA does not recommend wire balustrades or balustrades with horizontal railings which could be used for climbing.
Balustrades on balconies and verandas must not be less than 1000mm high.
Ensure the gaps between vertical railings are not wider than 100mm.
To prevent children falling from windows, all windows with sill heights less than 1500mm should have openings temporarily restricted to 100mm.
Position bedding, furniture, fittings and play structures away from windows and balustrades.
Consider fitting a substantial window screen or guard that can be readily removed by an adult in the event of an emergency.
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Car Safety
Tragically, one child - often a toddler - is run over in the driveway of its own home every week in Australia. The vehicle is usually moving slowly
and is often being driven by a parent, relative or friend. Young children are naturally inquisitive and want to see what is going on. They can
quickly move from a ‘safe’ position onto the driveway and into the path of the vehicle. Small children, particularly toddlers, can be impossible
to see from inside a car, especially if they are directly behind it.
Always supervise your children when they are near parked or moving vehicles.
When around vehicles hold their hand or carry them to keep them safe.
Keep children’s play areas separate from the driveway.
If you are alone at home and need to move a vehicle, even if only a short distance, make sure that you safely secure your child in the car while you.
Drivers should get into the habit of walking around their vehicle before leaving, especially if it is near an area where children have been playing.
Children learn mostly by observation and imitation. Examples set by parents can have effects on their behaviour.
When the front yard and driveway are not securely separated from the backyard and house, children can access the driveway and encounter various hazards.
Make access to the driveway from the house difficult for young children by using security doors, fences and gates.
It is preferable that garage doors do not provide access from the rear yard into the front yard.
Ensure all garden gates are self closing and self latching with child resistant locks that are out of children’s reach.
Fit a lock 1500mm above floor level on the front and other external doors.
External doors should be closed at all times to prevent children from being able to access the front yard and roadway through them.