The Department of Justice has urged Queenslanders to make safety a priority as families from all over the State enjoy the school holidays.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Shannon Fentiman said she wanted people to enjoy the State’s great lifestyle, whether they were camping, swimming, or visiting friends and family — while also staying safe.
“When purchasing new equipment for camping or toys to use in the pool, please make sure you read the safety labels, and check if the items have been recalled,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Just recently, we have seen products recalled such as an inflatable snorkelling wand float, as well as a vehicle recovery snatch strap used to tow bogged vehicles.”
Stressing the importance of water safety, she said more than 65 Queenslanders drowned in 2020-21 — an increase of six per cent compared to the year before.
“Don’t be distracted when supervising children, especially around water; aquatic and floatation toys are not safety devices, so do not assume a child is safe around water because they are wearing them,” Ms Fentiman said.
Elsewhere, parents should check that button battery compartments were secure and complied with new safety laws, and if purchasing a motor vehicle recovery strap or snatch strap to assist in recovering bogged vehicles, to make sure it was the correct one for the vehicle.
“Button batteries can be fatal if swallowed, so button battery compartments must be secured so they can’t be opened by children or come loose when the item is dropped,” Ms Fentiman said.
“If you suspect a child has swallowed a button battery, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.”
More information on consumer safety tips can be accessed at this PS News link.
