Staying safe in summer
We want you to have a safe, happy and healthy summer. Everyday summer products can be unsafe if they're incorrectly used or if children aren't supervised.
To have a safe summer and avoid injury, follow our safety tips and keep up to date on the latest product recalls.
Read our safety suggestions for:
- portable pools
- Christmas toys—button batteries and choking
- trampolines
- water toys and swimming aids
- motorised scooters
- low-hanging blind and curtain cords
- furniture stability
- ladders.
Portable pools
Portable pools are a popular, cheaper alternative to in-ground pools, but they can be just as dangerous.
Many parents and carers don’t realise the significant drowning risks and the need for fencing if the pool contains more than 30cm of water.
Anyone with a portable pool should always:
- Supervise—within arm's reach
- Act—learn CPR and be emergency ready
- Fence—pools deeper than 30cm
- Empty—and store safely.
For more information visit the Make it safe website.
Christmas toys—button batteries and choking
If a battery is swallowed
If you believe your child has swallowed a button battery, contact the Poisons Information Centre immediately on 13 11 26 or go straight to a hospital emergency room.
Even if you're rushing with last minute Christmas shopping, take time to check that gifts for little ones are age appropriate and don't pose choking hazards. Be sure to read any warning labels and follow all safety instructions.
Check all Christmas toys and products in your home to see if they come with button batteries.
Make sure the battery compartments in common household items are secure. Only buy products that have a child-resistant locking mechanism or need 2 independent and simultaneous movements to access.
Store spare button batteries in a cupboard out of children's reach.
Read more about button battery safety.
The holidays are also a great time to check if products in your house (or your loved ones' houses) have been recalled. Check the latest information on product recalls.
Trampolines
Trampolines may seem safe, but hundreds of Australian children are taken to hospital every year for trampoline-related injuries such as cuts, sprains and fractures.
Only buy a trampoline if it meets the Australian standard (AS 4989).
Check the trampoline for any wear and tear and ensure the safety pads are secure and the legs are locked into place.
Place the trampoline on soft ground or impact-absorbing material—not on concrete.
Keep the area around and above the trampoline free from hazards.
Make sure only 1 child is on the trampoline at any time.
Always supervise your children.
Read more about safe use of trampolines.
Water toys and swimming aids
Make sure water toys or swimming aids are suitable for your child's age and weight.
Read the warning labels and packaging carefully and follow instructions for proper assembly and use.
Swimming aids and water toys should be used in a safe way. Don't use water toys as safety devices.
Make sure an inflatable toy or swimming aid has non-return valves with attached stoppers and there are no leaks or damaged valves.
Swimming aids and water toys should always be removed from the pool area when they're not in use and stored securely out of the weather.
Children should always be actively supervised by a responsible adult when in the pool area.
Read more about swimming aids and pool toy safety.
Motorised scooters
Motorised scooters (or e-scooters) are a fun way to zip around outdoors, but it's important to remember they're not toys and are dangerous if used incorrectly.
Only purchase age-appropriate scooters.
Make sure kids wear a helmet.
Only allow 1 person at a time to use a motorised scooter.
Unplug lithium-ion batteries once fully charged to prevent fires, explosions and serious injuries.
Read more about lithium-ion batteries.
Low-hanging blind and curtain cords
Make sure young children can't reach any blind or curtain cords, especially if they stand on the furniture.
Don't let cords dangle into or near children's equipment.
Make sure the bottom of any blind or curtain cord is at least 160cm above the floor. Wrap blind cords securely around a hook attached high on the wall.
For older blinds, install a cord tensioning device, such as a cord holder or wind-up, to hold the cord tight against a wall.
Read more about low-hanging blind and curtain cord safety.
Furniture stability
Choose furniture with a broad, solid base and wide legs to keep it well balanced.
Test the furniture before you buy. Apply a little pressure to make sure it's stable.
If you have any doubts about whether your furniture is stable, secure it using furniture straps, angle braces, or anchors screwed into wall studs. If you're renting, ask your landlord or agent for permission to install these to the wall.
Choose tables that won't tip over if a child climbs on them. Glass tables should be made of toughened glass.
Never place tempting items on top of furniture. This encourages children to climb up and reach for them.
Read more about furniture stability safety.
Ladders
Only buy a ladder if it meets the Australian standard (AS/NZS 1892).
Always follow the instructions on the packaging or in the manual, as well as any safety warnings on the ladder.
Check for unsafe conditions—never use a ladder in thunderstorms, rain or wind.
Lean the ladder against a wall at a vertical to horizontal ratio of 4:1. This means that if the ladder is 4m tall, place the foot of the ladder 1m from the wall.
Climb the ladder safely and wear appropriate footwear.
Read more about ladder safety.