Grey Lynn Plunket
c/- Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. Phone 378-4565

Caring for Young Families - Whanau Awhina

CHILD SAFETY: a guide for parents.

Did you know that in New Zealand, 13,000 children under five years of age are hospitalised each year because of injuries and poisoning? Many of these admissions are avoidable.

BURNS - Birth to 9 months old

When your baby reaches around 3 months of age, she will start to reach out and grab things. Never eat, drink, or carry anything hot while holding baby; burns and scalds may require treatment for years and can cause permanent scarring.

As soon as your baby starts to roll, enclose heaters and fire places behind a guard.

To protect your child from hot water scalds, ask an electrician to lower the temperature of your hot water cylinder so that the tap water is no greater than 50 degrees C. If you have a wet-back, you will need to instal a temperature control valve to your hot water cylinder.

If your child gets burned, cool the area quickly under cold water for at least 10 minutes. Wrap the burn or scald loosely in clean cloth. Call your doctor for all burns.

The Plunket Line, 24 hours, 7 days, at 0800 933-922.

Child restraints for cars: click here for a report. And taking care of yourself is important too: click here for suggestions. Toilet training: click here.

News l Plunket homepage l Photos  l Recipes l Child safety l Community Centre

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.