Casey plans to make children safe

PREVENTING child injury and saving young lives will be a key focus next Monday when a new safety program is launched in Casey.
Residents have been invited to enjoy brunch to celebrate the launch of SafeStart at 10am on Monday in Narre Warren.
The SafeStart initiative is funded by the Victorian Department of Human Services and the launch will include guest speakers from the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash University Accident Research Centre.
Berwick Lodge Primary School will provide entertainment and Casey mayor Kevin Bradford urged local parents to attend.
“Parents and guardians of young children are encouraged to attend the SafeStart launch and find out the latest safety information around the home,” he said.
“Considering that in Victoria each day around 126 children visit the emergency department, often because of an injury, we all have a responsibility to do more to keep our children safe.
“In fact nearly 40 per cent of patients presenting at the Casey Hospital emergency department are children.”
Cr Bradford said that accidental injuries were a leading cause of death for children and a primary reason for hospital and emergency department admissions in Victoria. In Casey, the major causes of injury for children aged up to eight years are falls.
“Falls can occur in a variety of places and for a variety of reasons, such as falling from furniture, stairs, steps and play equipment or falling during sport. There are many other hazards around the home that also cause harm to children, which is why SafeStart is an important initiative to make a positive difference in the community,” Cr Bradford said.
The project’s main objectives are to increase local knowledge of risks that cause child injuries and increase the capacity of the local community to respond.
SafeStart aims to do this by working with local government and the community to explore, achieve and support proven and promising interventions on a local level.
It will incorporate a combined educational, environmental and policy-changing approach.
The SafeStart Launch will run from 10am to 11am next Monday.
Places are limited so to register your attendance, contact Adriana Hartskeerl, child safety officer, City of Casey community safety department, phone 9705 5200.