September 7 – 13 is Safety New Zealand Week.
On average 25,000 people a year require hospitalisation from injuries at home. These statistics prompted ACC to launch a 'Safety Begins at Home' campaign last year, which has been adopted as the theme of NZ Safety Week.
You can find out how safe your home is by taking part in an online quiz on the ACC website, www.homesafety.co.nz. The website also has lots of information about how you can make sure that your home is safe for children, older people and everyone else. Safety advice specifically tailored for schools and businesses which is aimed at making these environments safer is also available on the website.
Rodney District Council is involved in a range of activities aimed at helping to improve the safety of local residents. Examples of recent safety initiatives include the development of School Travel Plans to allow children to get safely to and from schools, the introduction of School safety zones to reduce traffic speed outside schools and other traffic safety initiatives.
Rodney District Council are pleased to support Safekids, who are currently running a campaign emphasising the need for children to use child restraints or booster seats rather than adult seat belts.
Between 2000 and 2004, 81 children in New Zealand died as passengers in car crashes - an average of 16 deaths each year.
Studies show booster seats for pre-school and school-aged children (up to 148cm tall) can reduce the risk of hospitalisation and death by up to 59%. Correct installation of the seats is a very important safety consideration. When used correctly, child car restraints reduce the risk of death for infants by up to 70%, and for toddlers by up to 54%.
Stay Safe in Rodney
As part of Safety Week, Hibiscus Coast Community House are running a Car Seat Clinic on Thursday 10 September at the Countdown Orewa car park from 11am - 1.30pm.
The clinic is a chance to have child car seats checked for free, and to check that these have been correctly installed. A simple check can provide peace of mind that your children are travelling safely. The clinic will also have advice on how to select the right type of car seat and where to hire seats from.
Information will also be available at the clinic about how to prevent injuries to children from sharp objects such as broken glass.
Rodney Neighbourhood Support, ACC and Rodney District Council are also working to provide local neighbourhood support groups with advice on how to stay safe. If you are interested in this project or would like to know more about Neighbourhood Support please contact Karen Little, Rodney Neighbourhood Support Coordinator on 09 426 1118.
For further information please contact:
Anna Crane
Rodney District Council
Phone 0800 426 5169