On the 13th of August, Kidsafe WA held their Fourth Childhood Injury Prevention Symposium: Advocating for Safer Products, at Burswood on Swan. The event was MCed by Tracy Blaszkow, Play@Kidsafe WA Manager, and we were kindly welcomed to Whadjuk Noongar Country by Matthew McGuire, a Traditional Owner of Whudjuk/Noongar Boodjah and a highly respected member of the Perth community.
Our guest speakers included Trish Blake – Consumer Protection, Scott Phillips – Kidsafe WA, Narelle Heydon and Lorena Chapman – Cancer Council WA, Antonetta Bartley – Kidsafe SA, Catherine Purnell – Consumer Protection, Tim Burns – WestCycle, Yumi Tan – WA Poisons Information Centre and Lisa Martin – Fiona Wood Foundation.
The event opened with our Keynote speaker, Trish Blake, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, who discussed what product safety is, and how the roles in the sector help to educate the community, enforce investigations to ensure children’s products are safe and advocate for action and change when hazards and danger emerge. Trish highlighted the importance of working collaboratively and advocating for change to prevent further childhood injuries and deaths from products.
Our second presentation from Scott Phillips, CEO of Kidsafe WA, introduced the organisation and reviewed its current efforts to advocate for safer products for children. Scott also identified the products reported that are of concern and discussed newly emerging product issues as well.
Up next, Narelle Heyman and Lorena Chapman explored the increase in the vaping trend among young adults and the uptake of smoking. Narelle and Lorena then discussed the importance of the federal vaping reform and the collaboration between organisations to achieve this outcome. Lorena introduced the Clear the Air campaign, explaining its aim to prevent the uptake of vaping among young people and encourage and support those who vape to quit.
Antonetta Bartley’s presentation covered transport-related injuries and the importance of having correctly fitted child car restraints to prevent serious injuries in road accidents. Antonetta explained her involvement with the Australian Standards Committee for the Child Car Restraint Standard AS/NZS 1754 and the recent changes to improve safety. Antonetta also discussed the community reach Kidsafe SA has and the workshops and training provided to inform consumers.
Following up, Tim Burns discussed eRideables and why they are so beneficial to the West Australian community. Tim then went on to describe the laws set out by the Government on eRideables and how consumers often are aware of these laws. Following an inspection, Tim outlined that many online retailers provide consumers with products that do not meet the eRideable laws and how this causes confusion for the buyer.
Our next speaker, Yumi Tan, explained the role of the Poisons Information Centre and how it assists the community in need. Further, Yumi addressed in detail the risk children are exposed to with button batteries. Due to increased awareness, button battery calls made to the WA Poisons Information Centre have been on a downward trend since 2020.
Catherine Purnell then discussed a case study on Reef’s Law, following the death of a child from toppling furniture. Catherine described unstable furniture and televisions as a silent but deadly hazard in our homes. She noted that through strong advocacy, the Residential Tenancies Act was amended to allow tenants in Western Australia to secure furniture to the wall without needing approval.
The final speaker of the day, Lisa Martin, presented on the increased risk of burn injuries in children 5 years and under. Lisa described several hazards that increase the risk of a burn injury, including hot noodles, hot water bottles, laundry pods, heaters, and eScooters. Further, Lisa explained the steps of correct first aid should a burn injury occur. Lisa highlighted the importance of running the burn injury under cool water to significantly reduce the depth of the burn and the need for medical intervention.
Kidsafe WA is overjoyed with the success of the Fourth Childhood Injury Prevention Symposium: Advocating for Safer Products and looks forward to working with product safety sector organisations and professionals to create safer products for children.
Kidsafe WA would like to express our thanks to the following people:
- Department of Health, Western Australia
- Burswood on Swan
- David Broadway Photography
- Matthew McGuire – Welcome to Country
