A new Australian and New Zealand standard (AS 4220) covering bunk beds has just been published. Its scope includes the material, construction, design and performance of bunk beds and it could become a mandatory standard.

A simple guidelines sheet which highlights the dangers of matches and lighters in the hands of children and offers suggestions for fire safety at home.

The paper describes a method of collecting exposure data with the objective of measuring pedestrian accident risk by comparing the exposure data with pedestrian accidents.

Walking buses are a relatively new phenomenon to encourage children to use an alternative to the car to travel to school. They consist of a group of children walking in a line along a set route, escorted by adults, and stopping to collect children at specific stops. There have been few systematic evaluations of their effectiveness as policy instruments. This paper describes a methodological framework to evaluate walking buses that is being developed as part of a larger project on children’s car use. The paper uses preliminary data from five schools to demonstrate the types of outcome that can be considered within the framework.

Our children eat, sleep and play in a minefield of dangerous children’s products. In 2001, an estimated 69,500 children under age five were treated in hospital emergency rooms for injuries associated with nursery products. Sixty-five children die annually in such incidents. Recalled products are but one source of product injury to children, yet the volume of recalls underscores the dangers faced by our children everyday. Compelled by these dangers, Kids In Danger undertook this report to educate the public about the great risk to children posed by recalled juvenile products. Of 210 consumer products recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2002, 90 of these were items intended for use by or care of children (43%). This accounts for over 11 million individual recalled units. Other findings of the report include: -Fifty-six percent of all children’s product recalls in 2002 were toys. Sporting products followed at 23%, nursery products at 3% and clothing at 8%. -The recall of 4 million plush Snuggle bears was the largest children’s product recall by unit in 2002. The eyes and noses of the bears can come off, posing a choking hazard to children. -The highest number of injuries reported was for mountain bicycles recalled by Brunswick Corp. Prior to the recall, the company received 31 reports of injuries to children and teenagers including serious head injuries, bodily abrasions, bruises and chipped teeth when the bike suspension forks broke apart, causing the rider to lose control of the bike. -With 29 recalls (32%), choking was the top hazard of children’s product recalls in 2002. Falls followed at 23% and bodily injury at 14%. -Several products were recalled in 2002 for failure to meet existing federal safety regulations. Five products violated the Federal Hazardous Substance Act and one product violated the Federal Flammable Fabrics Act. -Many nursery products with a track record of product failure and injury continue to be recalled for the same product faults that were identified in earlier recalls. Based on this analysis, Kids In Danger recommends that: -The public learn more about the lopsided children’s product safety system in America. -The CPSC work with the industry to develop strict, mandatory standards for durable children’s products and enforce compliance. -Policymakers and product manufacturers work together to develop a strategy that addresses the need for pre-market testing of durable children’s products. -Juvenile product manufacturers proactively inform consumers in the event of a children’s product recall and eliminate dangerous products from children’s environments. Kids In Danger is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting children by improving children’s product safety. This report is based on public information about recalls released by the CPSC.

This paper discusses a model of behavioural change in relation to injury prevention, in particular road safety. Experts agree that people will continue to behave as they have in the past until some internal or external stimulus interrupts this 'normal' flow of behaviour.

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the trend and seasonal patterns in fatal crashes in New Zealand in relation to changes in economic conditions between 1970 and 1994. The Harvey and Durbin structural time series model (STSM), an ‘unobserved components’ class of model, was used to estimate models for quarterly fatal traffic crashes. The dependent variable was modelled as the number of crashes and three variants of the crash rate (crashes per 10,000 km travelled, crashes per 1,000 vehicles, and crashes per 1000 population). Independent variables included in the models were unemployment rate (UER), real gross domestic product per capita, the proportion of motorcycles, the proportion of young males in the population, alcohol consumption per capita, the open road speed limit, and dummy variables for the 1973 and 1979 oil crises and seat belt wearing laws. UERs, real GDP per capita, and alcohol consumption were all significant and important factors in explaining the short-run dynamics of the models. In the long-run, real GDP per capita was directly related to the number of crashes but after controlling for distance travelled was not significant. This suggests increases in income are associated with a short-run reduction in risk but increases in exposure to a crash (i.e. distance travelled) in the long-run. A 1% increase in the open road speed limit was associated with a long-run 0.5% increase in fatal crashes. Substantial reductions in fatal crashes were associated with the 1979 oil crisis and seat belt wearing laws. The 1984 universal seat belt wearing law was associated with a sustained 15.6% reduction in fatal crashes. These road policy factors appeared to have a greater influence on crashes than the role of demographic and economic factors.

This is an older issue of Headlines - The newsletter of the WHO Helmet Initiative. The article titles within this issue are listed above.

This article documents the implementation of a public health education programme (The Vehicle Injury Prevention Program) to increase the correct use of vehicle restraints. This multifaceted education campaign brought together six segments of the community: education, health, government, law enforcement, private industry and the media to improve proper restraint use. The conclusion reached was that implementation of a public health programme, combined with economic incentives to increase vehicle restraint use, can be successful with multifaceted community support.

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that preschool children have a higher prevalence of obesity, spend less time playing outdoor, and spend more time watching television when they live in neighborhoods that their mothers perceive as unsafe. Conclusions: In a cross-sectional survey of preschool children in 20 large US cities, mothers' perception of neighborhood safety was related to their children's TV viewing time but not to their outdoor play time or risk for obesity.

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign sought to contribute to the field of injury prevention by creating a better understanding of wheel-related brain injury and the necessity of helmet use. To do so, SAFE KIDS conducted a two-part study exploring the incidence of and the attitudes, behaviours and consequences related to traumatic brain injury (TBI). Due to the availability of data on bike-related injuries, SAFE KIDS first analyzed national trauma data with the following questions in mind: What percentage of children seriously injured in a bike crash are diagnosed with a TBI? Are children of a certain age more likely to suffer a TBI? To learn more about kids’ behaviours when riding all wheeled sports, SAFE KIDS commissioned a national survey of “tweens” to find out: How much do kids know about brain injury? How often do they wear their helmets? If they are not wearing them, why not? SAFE KIDS’ research indicates that TBI is a common result of a serious bike crash. Unfortunately, young people underestimate the risks they take in wheeled sports, as indicated by their failure to wear helmets regularly. However, kids themselves report that adults can do more to ensure helmet use among children.

This fold-out booklet presents injury data from ACC for the injury categories listed below. The overriding purpose of this resource is to raise the awareness of the general public around the consequences of injury and its preventability.

Article talks about recent incidents and lists all quad bikes deaths over the previous couple of years.

Among different causes of injury, roads and traffic-related incidents contributed most to all child deaths. The majority of childhood and adolescent traffic-related deaths are young people killed as pedestrians or bicyclists. Underage driving is a particular risky behavior much neglected. This study aimed to describe some characteristics related to motor-vehicle crashes and crash-related injury in which the vehicle was driven by a young person who was under the legal age of obtaining a learner license in New South Wales, Australia. Data used in this study were made available from the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW for the period between 1996 and 2000. Crash information was collected and reported by NSW police at the scene of these motor-vehicle crash incidents. Results showed that there were 526 crashes involving an underage driver recorded within the study period. The majority (79.5%) of these underage drivers were males with slightly more than half (58.0%) aged 15 years, and nearly 30% aged 14 years. Among these, 83.6% involved the driver of the vehicle being killed or injured. Among the injured or killed passengers, 128 (73.6%) were non-adult passengers under the age of 18 years. Seventy of these crashes occurred while the car was in pursuit by police. The adjusted relative risk of injury to at least one occupant in the vehicle should a crash occur for female underage drivers was two times as compared to male underage drivers. Underage driving poses a serious problem in terms of crash outcomes. Experimental driving and late-night outings for adolescents should be discouraged. Well-designed studies are required to further investigate the relationship between underage driving and on road risk-taking behavior among licensed adolescents. Data obtained from this study indicate that adults, particularly parents, should discourage underage adolescents from experimenting driving and should actively cultivate a positive attitude toward driving.

Drowning is a major global public health problem. Effective prevention of drowning requires programmes and policies that address known risk factors throughout the world. To develop a uniform and internationally accepted definition that permits all relevant cases to be counted, an international consensus procedure was conducted. The consensus was that the new definition should include both cases of fatal and nonfatal drowning. The following definition was adopted: 'Drowning is the process of experiencing respiratory impairment from submersion/immersion in liquid'. Drowning outcomes should be classified as: death, morbidity and no morbidity. Use of this definition should support future activities and drowning surveillance worldwide and lead to more reliable and comprehensive epidemiological information on drowning.

The Government has recently established an injury information manager function and appointed Statistics New Zealand to carry out the role to facilitate user access to injury-related information and data. To do this, the information manager has been given functions to collect data, produce and disseminate statistical information, establish and maintain data standards and review future information requirements. The functions are described in part 8 of the Injury Prevention, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2001.

For business owners/operators accident prevention and litigation defense are the key concerns of slips, trips and falls. This article advises that the best defense is adequate prevention. Current measurement controversies should be avoided. Instead, focus on the issues, set company standards and criteria and follow them without exception

This paper outlines a novel explanatory frame for understanding how schools may intervene in order to promote pupils’ health. The new theory is synthesised from an Aristotelian interpretation of human functioning and a theory of cultural transmission. In keeping with recent influential theoretical developments, it is proposed that health has its roots in human functioning. It follows from this concept that the promotion of pupils’ health is facilitated by the promotion of pupil functioning and the primary mechanisms through which schools promote pupil functioning and, hence, health, are through the influences of school organisation, curriculum development and pedagogic practice on pupil development. According to the new theory, good human functioning is dependent on the realisation of a number of identified essential human capacities and the meeting of identified fundamental human needs. Two essential capacities, the capacity for practical reasoning and the capacity for affiliation with other humans, plan and organise the other essential capacities. The realisation of these two capacities should, it is argued, be the primary focus of health promoting schools. Additionally, health promoting schools should ensure that fundamental human needs concerning non-useful pain and information about the body are met. A number of testable hypotheses are generated from the new theory. Comparisons with existing interpretations of health promoting schools indicate there are similarities in the actions schools should take to promote health. However, the new theory can, uniquely, be used to predict which pupils will enjoy the best health at school and in adulthood. Additionally, according to the new theory, schools do not need designated health education classes or teaching staff with specialist health education roles in order to be health promoting. It is concluded that the new theory may have a number of advantages over existing theories at both the policy and intervention levels.

http://www.publichealthworkforce.org.nz/data/media/documents/A%20new%20way%20to%20talk%20about%20the%20social%20determinants%20of%20health.pdf

"In 1995, 46% of all trips in the Netherlands were made by either walking or riding bicycles, the highest level of non-motorised travel in the entire OECD....From the limited Australian data available, the pedestrian road death rate per 100,000 km walked is five times higher than the death rate in the Netherlands...It is argued that there is a need to create a non-violent transport system by constraining the increase in motorisation with traffic demand management measures and creating car free city centres as well as promoting a low speed culture...There is a need for new innovations in road-user education and traffic law enforcement to improve the safety and convenience of non-motorised travellers. There is an urgent need for more safe road crossings, refuges and bicycle paths...New Australian Design Rules are needed for motor vehicles to reduce crash impact trauma and there is an urgent need to ban bullbars in urban areas."

OBJECTIVE: Misuse of child restraint systems is a widespread and long-standing problem impacting risk of injury and death in car crashes. Discomfort has been suggested as a causative factor for misuse, particularly in errors introduced by children while they use the restraints. However, the relationship between comfort and errors in use has never been studied. In this study we examine the reliability and sensitivity of a newly developed observational method for assessing comfort in children in vehicles. We then use this method to examine the relationship between comfort and errors in use of booster seats. METHODS: A novel method was developed for assessing comfort by counting fidgeting and postural adjustment behaviors to derive a Discomfort Avoidance Behavior (DAB) score. The sensitivity of the DAB score was examined by observing children in four different seating conditions designed as "comfortable" and "uncomfortable" (Part 1). Paired-samples t-tests were used to compare differences in DAB between seating conditions. The reliability of the DAB score was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between DAB scores recorded by different researchers. The association between comfort and correctness of use was examined by observing children using booster seats (Part 2). The association between DAB score and number of usage errors was tested using linear regression analysis. Participants were children ages 4-8 years. Fourteen children participated in Part 1 and 15 children in Part 2. RESULTS: The DAB score was sensitive to changes in seat condition (p < 0.01), and was repeatable between different researchers (ICC 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.954-0.991). Increases in DAB were associated with increases in the number of use errors among children using booster seats (errors in use = 3.89 × DAB - 2.18, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The DAB score is a reliable and valid measure of comfort of children in child restraints but could be improved by incorporating a measurement of postural positioning. Comfort, as characterized by fidgeting and postural adjustment behaviors, is associated with correct use of child restraints. The broader implication is that this confirms ergonomic design of child restraints as important for minimizing errors in use. There is a need for further study of the impact of specific restraint design features on comfort experienced by children.

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and describe the nature of non-motorized scooter related injuries in children presenting to the ED. The setting was a paediatric ED of a metropolitan tertiary referral hospital. A prospective observational study of patients aged under 19 years presenting with injuries sustained while using a non-motorized scooter, was undertaken. Clinicians recorded the data in the patient record. Main outcome measures: type of injury sustained; period of experience on the scooter; the use of protective gear; the presence of adult supervision; the place of accident; and the patient outcome. Results showed that 62 eligible patients were recruited over an 18 month period. The incidence of scooter-related injuries was 1.3% of all paediatric trauma presentations. There was a fall in scooter injury presentations over the study period; however, this was not statistically significant. The most common injury sustained using a scooter was an upper limb fracture (41.9%). Closed head injury comprised 8.1% of all scooter related injuries. The majority of patients were not wearing protective gear and were unsupervised at the time of their accident. Most patients (79%) were managed in the ED and discharged. In conclusion, there has been no significant change in scooter injury presentations over the two summer periods of 2000 and 2001. Children presenting to the ED with a scooter related injury tend to be primary school aged, which may have implications on scooter design, age recommendations and safety guidelines.

A main goal of the research project reported in this paper was the development and the evaluation of a road safety training program for preschool children on the basis of behavioral learning theories and empirical research findings. The training program was a media package which consisted of a film presenting the learning objectives and the training methods and a brochure giving concrete instructions about the training process. Both the film and the brochure describe the exercises which the parents should practice with their children directly in real traffic situations.

A pamphlet with information about booster seats under the following headings; 1) Different kinds of booster seats, 2) Buying a booster seat, 3) Children who should use a booster seat, 4) Reasons to use a booster seat and, 5) Installing a booster seat.

This short but useful guide from Christchurch City Council includes sections on: Walking is good for your children, Walking recreationally as a family, What you can explain, Stages of development, Walking school buses, School travel plans and Driver awareness around schools. PDF available at: http://www.ccc.govt.nz/cityleisure/gettingaround/roadsafety/pedestriansafety.aspx

A colourful, well illustrated booklet containing a lot of information for parents about safety including safe storage, animals, poisonous plants, and outdoor play.

An excellent booklet that looks at all aspects of safety for children in cars, including, choosing and installing restraints, choosing the right car for your family and general safety in the car.

A booklet developed by Kidsafe, Victoria and made available in New Zealand through NZVET Ltd. The hazards to children on farms are described and prevention strategies for parents outlined.

This booklet looks at how accidents in the home can be prevented. Includes a home safety checklist

This report presents a brief statistical overview of the health of the New Zealand population. It provides insights into the level of health in the community and identifies inequalities in health between different population groups. It also looks at lifestyle factors and behaviours which influence levels of health among these different population groups. It describes their use of health services and other responses to illness.

BACKGROUND: Because of a lack of time and training, many pediatricians often address few, if any, injury topics during well-child visits. The project goal was to increase the injury anticipatory guidance topics covered by pediatricians during well-child visits by offering screening tools and focused talking points through a quality improvement learning collaborative. METHODS: Screening tools were developed and pretested. Pediatric practices, recruited through the Ohio American Academy of Pediatrics, were taught quality improvement theory and injury prevention strategies at a learning session. Pediatricians worked to implement screening tools and talking points into every well-child visit for children 1 year or younger. Monthly, providers reviewed five random charts for each of the six well-child visits for screening tool use and age-appropriate injury prevention discussion. Providers received maintenance of Certification IV credit. RESULTS: Sixteen pediatricians (six practices) participated. Screening tool use increased from 0% to 97.2% in just 3 months of the program. For each well-child care visit, injury prevention discussion increased by 89.5% for newborn visit, 88.1% for 2-month, 93.6% for 4-month, 94.0% for 6-month, 88.1% for 9-month, and 90.3% for 12-month-old babies. During the quality improvement program, discussion points for all children 1 year or younger increased for all age-appropriate topics. The greatest percent increase in discussions occurred with water safety (from 10.8% to 95.7%, n = 231), play safety (from 17.9% to 93.5%, n = 154), and supervision safety (from 20.8% to 94.4%, n = 251). More commonly addressed topics also had a significant increase in discussions: sleep safety (from 48% to 93.9%, n = 262), choking (from 44.7% to 95.4%, n = 172), and car safety (from 41.2% to 80.1%, n = 332). CONCLUSION: Participation in a maintenance of Certification IV quality improvement program within pediatric offices can increase screening and discussion of injury anticipatory guidance. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic test, level III.

This pilot study surveyed 27 farm families and asked them to self report accidental injuries

Summary of planning history of Auckland Region. Urban and rural. Key influences, policies and strategies, community values. Influence of central government. Includes - Maori values, environmental values, public participation. First output of Growth Forum.

In the spirit of an old-fashioned barn raising, community members come together to raise a playground. The playground can become the context for continuing interaction between the generations. Section of playground safety awareness program.

Program to teach children to identify poisons and hazard symbols, to learn where poisons should be stored and to recognise a poisoning and contact a poison control centre in event of poisonings.Evaluation of the approx. 400 children who received the program demonstrated that they learned to identify poisons, to recognize hazard symbols and phone number of local poison centre.

Domestic swimming pools are dangerous consumer products, especially for toddlers, who are at greatest risk of drowning in a pool. This article looks at what should be done to make them safer.

A survey to identify preventable risk factors in agricultural injuries to children working on family farms. Suggested interventions include education, limiting working hours, avoiding disabling of safety devices, and specific methods of managing cows.