What is making headlines in the world of parenting this week?
Who are the two gorgeous Aussie actors sharing their childhood photos? How do you know if your carseat is putting your child at risk? What new car seat system can now be manufactured in Australia? And how can you donate to sick children while entertaining your own children?
Chris Hemsworth kickstarts campaign against child abuse
Actor Chris Hemsworth has shared this gorgeous image of himself and little brother Liam as part of the Australian Childhood Foundation’s #notanotherchild campaign.
The campaign is in response to the number of children continuing to be hurt by abuse and neglect each year.
The goal is to start a movement for social change – aimed at preventing more children suffering the trauma and pain of abuse.
Chris kickstarted the campaign by sharing his image – of a positive moment from his childhood – and is urging other members of the community to share their own photos on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #notanotherchild.
To learn more or to donate visit www.childhood.org.au/not-another-child
Two out of every three child car restraints used incorrectly – is yours?
A new campaign is urging parents to make sure their children’s car seats are used correctly.
An incorrectly used car seat – one that isn’t the right size, has twisted buckles or isn’t correctly installed – can actually increase the likelihood of a child being injured or killed in an accident.
The NSW Centre for Road Safety says that two in three child car seats are not used properly. And children incorrectly secured are seven times more likely to sustain life-threatening injuries in a crash then those using car seats secured correctly.
TfNSW general manager Marg Prendergast says while parents are doing the right thing and buckling children into car seats, half are still not using the right seat for their child’s age and size.
“TfNSW’s mission is to make sure every little person travelling on our roads is as safe as possible,” she says.
Things to check include:
- Make sure the harness straps aren’t twisted.
- Make sure the harness straps are tight enough
- Check the seat hasn’t moved out of place during day-to-day driving
- Make sure you have the right carseat for your child’s age and size.
- Make sure that it is fitted and adjusted correctly.
- Make sure you know how to check it properly.
For more tips on correct car seat and crash safety star-ratings to help you buy a carseat use visit www.childcarseats.com.au
ISOFIX added to Australian Standard
Child car seat manufacturers can now produce ISOFIX compatible child restraints in Australia, following a Federal Government update of the mandatory Australian Standard.
ISOFIX is an alternative method for attaching a child restraint to a vehicle, independent of the vehicle seatbelt.
ISOFIX compatible child restraints in accordance with AS/NZS 1754:2013 will now be another option for how child restraints can be fitted to a vehicle
Road safety advocates want to make it clear that the introduction of ISOFIX does not means there is any concerns with the safety of the current range of child restraints.
There is strong evidence that Australian child restraints that use the vehicle seatbelt and top tether strap provide excellent protection to children, even in very high severity crashes.
Buy a kids’ DVD to raise money for Starlight Children’s Foundation
The Starlight Children’s Foundation has released two exclusive compilation kids’ DVDs to help raise $500,000 to inspire the imaginations of more than 12,000 sick kids.
The two new DVD titles, Shine On: Action & Laughter (for boys aged 5-10) and Shine On: Fun Time Favourites (for pre-school aged children) are available for $14.95 with at least $5 from the sale of each DVD going to Starlight.
Shine On: Action & Laughter features Power Rangers, Scooby Doo, Batman and Spongebob Squarepants, while Shine On: Fun Time Favourites features Hi-5, The Wiggles, Curious George and Peppa Pig.
The DVDs will be on sale until Christmas from leading retailers or by visiting www.starlight.org.au