New booklets help prevent injury to children and seniors

Two new information booklets aimed at reducing the number of injuries and accidents suffered by children and seniors were launched at Parliament House today by Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell.

Mr Purcell said that the booklets, Keeping Children Safe and Senior and Safer, offered practical safety advice to help reduce the incidence of accidents and injuries among children and seniors.

“Looking after the safety of children and seniors is of paramount importance to the Queensland Government,” Mr Purcell said.

“I am confident these new booklets will go a long way in helping the more vulnerable members of our community to remain free from harm,” he said.

Mr Purcell said that research by Kidsafe indicated that children and seniors are more likely to experience serious injuries in their own homes than anywhere else.

“These booklets have been specially designed to provide important information on how to minimise hazards around the home in particular,” he said.

Keeping Children Safe provides easy-to-understand information on injury prevention and emergency preparation and also includes important advice on the five key causes of child injury: drowning, poisoning, scalds and burns, falls, and driveway run-overs.

The Senior and Safer booklet provides a comprehensive guide to home safety for seniors and adopts a practical approach by taking readers systematically through their home, from the front gate to the backyard, identifying potential hazards and explaining how to address them.

“The booklets are a great example of the work being done by the Queensland Government to keep families and communities well informed on how to minimise dangers for children and seniors in and around the home,” Mr Purcell said.

“Both booklets include valuable advice from some of our most highly experienced firefighters and ambulance officers, including information on how to apply basic first aid and how to prepare the home in case of an emergency situations.”

Keeping Children Safe and Senior and Safer are available free of charge by contacting the Queensland Government on 1300 369 003. They will also be distributed widely throughout the community.

Media contacts: Tim Shipstone 07 3247 8194, 0409 620 571;
Daniel Landon 07 3247 8992, 0437 837 976.