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The National Burns Awareness Month (1-30 June) aims to drive greater awareness amongst the Australian community of burns prevention and the correct first aid treatment for burns.

National Burns Awareness Month is an initiative of Kidsafe, Australia's leading community organisation dedicated to child injury prevention, and held in June each year as there is a significantly increased risk of burns during winter.

Throughout June, Kidsafe invites you to raise awareness of burns prevention and correct first aid by posting on social media and sending a press release to your local newspaper.

You'll find everything you need to get started on this webpage.
Burns Safety Checklist Burn Safe Brochure Children Burn Safe Brochure Adolescent Burns Awareness Poster A3 Burns Awareness Poster A4
This Community Awareness Kit has been developed to support your organisation, group or service, to become involved in National Burns Awareness Month. You will find everything you need in this kit, including links to posters, brochures, checklists, videos, social media posts/graphics and a template media release.

KIDSAFE N.B.A.M SMALL GRANTS

To encourage organisations to get involved in NBAM Kidsafe Australia is offering small grants up to $1000 - with an expected average grant of $500 - to support organisations who wish to deliver a project, activity or event during June.
Applications are now open, but be quick as applications close on the 22nd of May at 5.00pm AEST" Learn More & Apply

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National Burns Awareness Month | kidsafe Australia

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The National Burns Awareness Month (1-30 June) aims to drive greater awareness amongst the Australian community of burns prevention and the correct first aid treatment for burns. National Burns Awareness Month is an initiative of Kidsafe, Australia's leading community organisation dedicated to child injury prevention.

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Royal Life Saving Society of Australia's National Drowning Report show that in 2018/19, 19 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these drowning incidents (63%) occurred in swimming pools.

While safety barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning incidents, evidence suggests that a large number of drowning deaths are the result of barriers that are faulty, or non-compliant with Australian standards.

Kidsafe's 'Safe Barriers Save Lives' Backyard Pool Safety campaign calls on all pool and spa owners to check the safety of their pool or spa barriers and set their home pool defence, to assist in keeping children safe in and around water. The campaign features a series of humorous skits with parents employing an over the top defence and celebrations while playing backyard sporting games with their children, to remind families that when it comes to backyard pool safety, 'the best offence is a good defence'.

Matt Welsh's Top 4 Tips to check your backyard swimming pool:

For more information to assist you to check the safety of your pool and spa barrier, please use the resources below:
Our friends at Safetech Hardware Australia have established a handy pool maintenance reminder which allows you to register to receive reminders and useful resources to help you complete a home pool self assessment - http://www.safetechhardware.com.au/page-pool-safety-registration.html

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Safe Barriers Save Lives | kidsafe Australia

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Royal Life Saving Society of Australia's National Drowning Report show that in 2018/19, 19 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned. The majority of these drowning incidents (63%) occurred in swimming pools. While safety barriers can be effective in reducing the risk of drowning incidents, evidence suggests that a large number of drowning deaths are the result of barriers that are faulty, or non-compliant with Australian standards.

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Kidsafe and AAMI present the Unconventional Oven.

A demonstration designed to counter an increasing problem; despite the warnings, many Australian kids are being left unattended in cars. And the numbers are rising along with the temperature.

Across Australia over 5,000 children are left in cars every year. In New South Wales 2,200 children were rescued from cars in 2013 alone, and in one of the country's hottest states, Queensland, a staggering 3 to 5 cases are reported every day. Tragically, for some children rescue comes all too late.

To prove just how hot the sun can make a parked car, Kidsafe asked award-winning chef, Matt Moran to literally cook a meal in one.

#theunconventionaloven

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The Unconventional Oven | kidsafe Australia

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Kidsafe and AAMI present the Unconventional Oven. A demonstration designed to counter an increasing problem; despite the warnings, many Australian kids are being left unattended in cars. And the numbers are rising along with the temperature. Across Australia over 5,000 children are left in cars every year.

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The Northern Territory's Top End has an average monthly rainfall of 240mm in the Wet Season, causing our rivers and waterways to become fast-flowing torrents.

In urban areas, pipes and drains transport the overflow of water through our streets, causing an inviting but potentially deadly watercourse.

The NT Government's Stay out of Pipes and Drains advertising campaign is a stark reminder of just how life-threatening those urban torrents can be.

The campaign will run for the duration of the Wet Season in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society of the NT.

So this Wet Season #staysafethisWET and stay out of pipes and drains.

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The Northern Territory's Top End has an average monthly rainfall of 240mm in the Wet Season, causing our rivers and waterways to become fast-flowing torrents. In urban areas, pipes and drains transport the overflow of water through our streets, causing an inviting but potentially deadly watercourse.

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City of Palmerston proudly supports the NT Water Safety 'Stay Out of Pipes & Drains' campaign. The Northern Territory Government has launched a confronting new advertising campaign to prevent drownings in pipes and drains this Wet Season.

The television commercial was shot using specialised HD cameras to give it a modern feel in order to appeal to children and teenagers. Police, Fire and Rescue along with SES volunteers also assisted with the filming, using high pressure hoses to create a real life drowning scene. The ad shows a young boy who falls while playing in a flooded drain and was shot in the point-of-view of the drowning victim to give the commercial as much impact as possible.

Parents are urged to talk to their children about water safety, and ensure they stay out of pipes and drains this Wet Season and cool off in our safe pools and water parks instead.

The Stay Out of Pipes and Drains campaign will run for the duration of the Wet Season in partnership with the City of Palmerston and City of Darwin and includes television and radio ads, posters, school visits and press advertisements.

Visit the NT Government website for more information on water safety education in the Northern Territory.

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City of Palmerston proudly supports the NT Water Safety 'Stay Out of Pipes & Drains' campaign. The Northern Territory Government has launched a confronting new advertising campaign to prevent drownings in pipes and drains this Wet Season. The television commercial was shot using specialised HD cameras to give it a modern feel in order to appeal to children and teenagers.

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Most children who drown are under four years old. It happens very quickly and quietly.

Most of these children drown in their own or a friend's pool.

Young children can drown in just a few centimetres of water.

Many children are hospitalised and can suffer long-term damage from near-drowning accidents.

Stay and watch young children and be at arm's length when they are in or near water.

This includes in the bath, swimming pool or spa, at the beach, and near creeks, rivers and dams.

Don't expect older children to supervise.

Make sure young children can't get to buckets and other containers holding water.

Keep nappy buckets covered and out of reach - the water and chemicals are dangerous for young children.

Empty toddler pools and plastic baths and store them upright.

Pools and spas

Cover backyard ponds with a fixed grill with spaces no bigger than 2.5cm.

Enrol older children and adults in a first-aid course.

Enrol younger children in an accredited water safety course. Teach your child how to behave in and around water.

Read more about pool safety.

For more ideas, activities and tips go to the 7 Steps to Safety page on the Department of Children and Families website.

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Most children who drown are under four years old. It happens very quickly and quietly. Most of these children drown in their own or a friend's pool. Young children can drown in just a few centimetres of water. Many children are hospitalised and can suffer long-term damage from near-drowning accidents.

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Table of contents

Staying safe in Kakadu

We want you to have a fantastic holiday that's memorable for all the right reasons. Kakadu is a wild place - here are our tips to help you stay safe!

Take lots of water with you and drink at least four litres a day.

Protect yourself from the sun with a broad-brimmed hat, long loose clothing and a high factor sunscreen.

Wear sturdy shoes.

During your visit, please always follow directions from park rangers - their directions are for your safety.

Stay on marked tracks and in designated visitor areas - you don't want to meet the local crocodiles up close!

Bringing a boat? Saltwater crocodiles can attack people in boats - the smaller the boat the greater the risk.

Be aware of your own limitations and supervise children.

You won't have mobile phone coverage in most of the park. Tell a responsible person where you are heading for the day and when you plan to return.

Some roads in and out of the national park are 4WD only and many sections are steep and narrow and become slippery when wet. Drive carefully and slowly.

Obey all safety directions, notices and warning signs.

Beat the heat

Temperatures regularly reach 30 degrees Celsius or more at Kakadu. Walk only in the cooler parts of the day. In summer we strongly recommend you walk only in the early morning before 11.00 am.

The hottest part of the day at Kakadu is between 2.30 pm and 6.30 pm.

Drive safely

Crossing flooded creeks and rivers can be extremely hazardous so obey directions from rangers and heed road closures at all times.

Many visitors to Kakadu may not be familiar with driving on dirt roads. Stay safe on our dirt roads, please drive to your ability and obey speed limits. Remember:

Plan ahead and obtain a detailed map before you set off.

Drive slowly and cautiously - 80 km/h is too fast in most conditions.

Avoid soft shoulders in the road.

Allow plenty of space behind the vehicle in front.

Slow down for on-coming traffic.

Keep headlights on during the day to increase visibility.

Lower tyre pressure when driving on rougher roads (check your car rental conditions).

Watch out for wildlife, pedestrians and other road users.

View the Kakadu A ccess Report.

Northern Territory checklist for a safe driving holiday - English, Italian and German translations.

Injured wildlife

If you see an injured animal in the park - please notify staff in the Bowali Visitor Centre either in person or by phone on 08 8938 1120.

Be Crocwise: Crocodile Safety for Kakadu

Read and remember this advice about crocodiles before swimming, camping, fishing or boating in Kakadu.

Saltwater crocodiles are dangerous. They have attacked and killed people. They inhabit most areas of water in Kakadu National Park including floodplains, freshwater billabongs, creeks, rivers and coastal areas. Always obey warning signs. If there are no warning signs, it is always best to assume crocodiles are present.

To stay safe around waterways you should be vigilant and cautious and never take unnecessary risks in crocodile habitat. Crocodiles are ambush predators and can cause serious injury or death. You are responsible for you own safety so please follow these guidelines and be Crocwise in crocodile country.

Be Crocwise: Camping

Ensure you observe all safety signs, and be aware that whenever you are near water in the park, there is a risk of crocs!

Bring your own water. It is not safe to collect from any waterways.

Avoid the water's edge. Children and pets are at particular risk.

Be aware that crocodiles can stay hidden underwater for long period and can move with great stealth and camouflage so you won't always see them.

Camp at least two metres above the high water mark and at least 50 metres from the water's edge.

Don't paddle, clean fish, prepare food or wash at the water's edge or next to sloping banks. Do you chores at least 50 metres away.

Never dispose of food scraps or fish offal in the water, around campsites or boat ramps.

Don't feed, harass or try to interact with crocodiles - it is extremely dangerous.

Don't interfere with crocodile traps. They are set where there is an identified nuisance crocodile.

Be extra vigilant during the breeding season (November to April) when crocodiles defend a territory or nesting mound and become more aggressive.

Always report aggressive crocodiles.

Be Crocwise: Fishing and boating

Be alert when fishing on riverbanks. When fishing from the bank fish five metres from the water's edge. Try to fish with an obstacle such as a rock in front of you.

Do not enter the water when fishing.

Don't stand on logs overhanging the water while fishing or when retrieving lures.

Be extra vigilant when fishing alone or where a croc can approach you from behind.

Don't take dogs fishing with you. Their presence may attract crocs.

Crocodiles can attack and take people from boats. The smaller the boat the greater the risk. Don't use or sleep in boats with low sides.

All non-powered vessels are prohibited in Kakadu.

Take extreme care when launching and retrieving boats. Crocodiles are known to gather at boat ramps, jettys and launching sites. Avoid entering the water.

Don't ever hang arms, legs or any part of your body out of or lean over the edge of a boat when on the water. This includes boats near or at the shoreline.

Crocodiles can lunge at and can follow fish onto your boat so always use landing nets when retrieving a fish.

Wear polarising sunglasses to help spot crocodiles near the surface of the water.

If night fishing illuminate the outside of your boat to help see what is around you and be extra vigilant.

Do not clean fish while on the water.

Be Crocwise: Swimming

Kakadu has Crocodile Management Zones that we monitor regularly during the visitor season for the presence of crocodiles in order to minimise risk to humans.

In the designated Crocodile Management Zone you enter the water at your own risk.

Crocodile warning signs are not found everywhere.

Even in the Crocodile Management Zones, you should always be cautious around the water. Crocodiles can move back into these areas at any time.

Crocodiles are not found up in the escarpments high above waterfalls.

Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile Myth Busting

Saltwater crocodiles only live in salt water. False - they can be found more than 200km up river from the coast in freshwater habitats.

Saltwater crocodiles don't like fast flowing water. False - crocodiles are often seen in fast flowing water and are able to move through rapids and even surf.

Saltwater crocodiles don't like beaches and you're safe to swim there. False - crocodiles are often seen on beaches.

Crocodiles do not travel up waterfalls. False - crocodiles can go around a vertical obstacle like a waterfall to reach a pool upstream. The main reason is that young male crocodiles are trying to establish their own territory.

Crocodiles don't move around on land much. False - they have been know to travel up to one kilometre on land.

Crocodiles will not stay long in small water holes. False - they can remain for extended periods in mud holes if necessary.

A saltwater crocodile has never been seen here so they obviously don't live here. False - crocodile number are increasing and they're repopulating areas they would've occupied before nearly being wiped out in the late '60s and early '70s.

Crocodiles are less active in the dry season so you're unlikely to be attacked. False - crocodiles are opportunistic hunters and will take advantage of an easy feed if available.

Crocodiles can't open their mouth underwater therefore can't attack underwater. False - although crocodiles need to have their head above water or be on land to swallow food without taking in water, they can open their mouths underwater to attack their prey.

Crocodiles are sluggish creatures. False - when charging from the water crocdiles have been measured moving at 12 metres per second.

You can outwit a crocodile by running from them in a zigzag pattern. False - run as fast as you can in a straight line as crocodiles can only manage short bursts of speed when coming out of the water.

Crocodiles can swim up to 60km/h. False - crocodiles can swim 10-15km/h on average.

You are safe to camp beside a river if you have a fire. False -there is no evidence to support this. Always camp 50 metres away from water and at least two metres above the high water mark.

If you can see the bottom, it's safe to swim. False - all bodies of water in Kakadu may have crocodiles present.

You're safe in the water when launching a boat because boat noise frightens crocodiles. False - crocodiles are very sensitive to sound and vibration, and in most cases this attracts them.

It's OK to swim if you don't stay in too long. False - it takes less than a second to be attacked by a crocodile.

If you keep a lookout, you will be able to tell if a crocodile is near. False - a crocodile can hold its breath and stay hidden underwater for long periods and are dangerous ambush predators.

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We want you to have a fantastic holiday that's memorable for all the right reasons. Kakadu is a wild place - here are our tips to help you stay safe! Take lots of water with you and drink at least four litres a day.

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Updated March 09, 2020 00:15:58

Northern Territory Police say a six-year-old girl has drowned in Kakadu National Park.

Police say the girl was swimming at the base of Motor Car Falls with her family and friends at about 5:30pm on Saturday.

A sudden surge of floodwater swept her away.

Officers say her family immediately began searching for her.

Emergency services rushed to the 4WD-only area to help in the search.

Her body was found by the police on Sunday.

First posted March 08, 2020 19:02:08

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Six-year-old girl drowns in Kakadu National Park

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Updated March 09, 2020 00:15:58 Northern Territory Police say a six-year-old girl has drowned in Kakadu National Park. Police say the girl was swimming at the base of Motor Car Falls with her family and friends at about 5:30pm on Saturday. A sudden surge of floodwater swept her away.

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A woman who babysat the two girls who died in a hot car in southeast Queensland at the weekend claims authorities had been alerted about the family before.

Gina Mckenzie, who regularly looked after the girls, told news.com.au there had been previous complaints to authorities about the children's welfare.

"I know welfare had been called numerous times," she said.

The lifeless bodies of Darcey-Helen, 2, and Chloe-Ann, 1, were reportedly carried from their Logan home, south of Brisbane, soaking wet, after desperate attempts to revive and cool them about 1.35pm on Saturday.

Their mother, Kerri-Ann Conley 27, has now been charged with their murder.

The temperature in the area was 31C at the time and there are reports Ms Conley had fallen asleep inside.

Ms Mckenzie said a detective came to chat to her late Saturday about Ms Conley but did not inform her the girls had died.

"I'm quite upset that I was not told," she said.

She said she was the last person to see them about 8.30pm Friday.

Ms Mckenzie said authorities should have done more to help the family.

"I strongly believe they should have done much more," she said.

Family and friends of Ms Conley claim they made multiple attempts to alert the authorities to concerns they held for the two children.

"I know of four people that made reports to them and other agencies and nothing was done," a family member told The Courier-Mail.

"(They) just got told they would look into it and do a property check of who lived there."

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk confirmed this morning that the family were known to the Department of Child Safety and said an investigation would now begin.

"My information is, yes, they had contact with Child Safety," she said.

Hetty Johnston, founder of child safety advocacy group Bravehearts, said government departments were chronically underfunded and unequipped to deal with the sheer number of child protection cases.

"This is a system totally broken," she told 7NEWS.

"We can't just wait for the next story to come and wait for this one to blow over.

"Clearly, we're not intervening when we should be."

Johnston claims there are more than 30 deaths of children who are known to the department every year.

Ms Conley did not appear when the murder case was mentioned in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

She was remanded in custody to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on December 11.

She has

She is also been charged with possessing dangerous drugs and possessing utensils or a pipe, on top of two counts of murder.

The Australian said it was understood police were investigating whether drugs had played a role in the tragedy.

Detectives investigating the deaths are now seeking a new witness seen in the area on CCTV.

The man was wearing high visibility clothing and walking along Logan Reserve Rd about the same time the children's bodies were found, 7 News reports.

Police say the man is not a suspect but they believe he may have important information and are keen to speak to him.

The shattered father of Darcey-Helen, who he called "Pumpkin", told The Courier Mail he was devastated, also being a father figure to Chloe-Ann.

"Darcey and Chloe were loved by anyone and everyone who met them. I absolutely adored them both," the father, who asked not to be named, said.

"Darcey had a contagious laugh and Chloe really, although they were 12 months apart, wasn't really that far behind Darcey. I think she learnt a lot off Darcey, mannerisms."

He said the pair giggled all the time and repeated everything others said.

"They were just two peas in a pod," he said.

Neighbours, who have paid tribute to the "gorgeous little girls", said they saw them soaking wet.

"The police were carrying the girls out ... their shirts were ripped open like they'd tried to save them," one woman, who did not want to be named, told The Sunday Mail.

9 News reports Ms Conley discovered the pair and rushed them inside in an attempt to cool their bodies.

It was claimed she desperately tried to splash water on them after finding them.

Neighbour Willow Dawes was visibly shocked by the distressing scenes.

"I came out when the ambulance pulled up and saw the children being brought out," she told the The Sunday Mail. "It's pretty upsetting and it was quite confronting."

One woman, who did not want to be named, said she knew the family and the "gorgeous little girls".

"They were always dressed beautifully and just happy little girls," she told the newspaper. "They were always out in the yard playing and they were always happy little girls, that's for sure. They were gorgeous little girls."

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Mark White said it was a very tragic incident.

"The two children exhibited signs of being exposed to extreme heat and that is forming the direction of our investigation," he said.

"We'll be speaking to quite a number of people to establish what was taken place."

A friend of the family described the girls as "two beautiful angels".

"Darcey had a very caring heart for her sister and us all and the most amazing cuddles and kisses, and just as any toddler does, she liked to see how far she would get with being a bit mischievous," she told The Courier-Mail.

Neighbours said the family had moved in as recently as six months ago.
- with AAP

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'Multiple alerts' over girls who died in car

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A woman who babysat the two girls who died in a hot car in southeast Queensland at the weekend claims authorities had been alerted about the family before. Gina Mckenzie, who regularly looked after the girls, told news.com.au there had been previous complaints to authorities about the children's welfare.

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A childcare provider says it is "devastated" after a three-year-old boy was found dead in a minibus at Edmonton in the south of Cairns.

A minibus driver found the boy, 3, dead inside the vehicle on Tuesday afternoon

Police said they were investigating what had happened after the boy should have been delivered to day care that morning

They could not confirm if he had been left in the minibus during the day

Queensland Policesaidthe minibus driver discovered the child's body inside the Goodstart Early Learning vehicle, which was parked out the front of Hambledon State School on Stokes Street, at 3:15pm on Tuesday.

Police said the minibus picked the boy up from his home on Tuesday morning, but could not confirm if he had been left in the vehicle throughout the day.

Detectives from the Child Protection Investigation Unit in Cairns are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and remain at the scene.

"We're just trying to work out exactly what's happened between now and when he should have been delivered to the day care centre," Inspector Jason Smith told Channel Nine.

Police will prepare a report for the coroner.(ABC News: Mark Rigby)

"The death of any child is an awful thing, which is why it is so important for us to get to the bottom of this," he said.

In a statement, Goodstart Early Learning said it was "devastated by the death of a child in our care in Cairns earlier today".

"We are working to support the entire centre team, our families and our children.

"The matter is now a police investigation and we will be working with the police, Department of Education (childhood education and care), and Workplace Health and Safety.

"Our thoughts are very much with the family of the child at this time."

Police said the boy's mother had been notified and a report would be prepared for the coroner.

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Child found dead on minibus in Cairns - ABC News

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A childcare provider says it is "devastated" after a three-year-old boy was found dead in a minibus at Edmonton in the south of Cairns.

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Welcome to Play Safety

Statistics show that nationally, nearly 10% of all child injury hospitalisations are playground related. This equates to over 6,000 children being admitted to hospital each year from playground injury, with countless more children injured who do not require hospital admission. What's more, these numbers appear to be rising.

The key safety risks for children at play that Kidsafe NT targets are:

Careful planning, design and maintenance of playgrounds and play equipment can prevent or reduce the severity of playground injuries. These factors in collaboration with supervision of children at play will ensure a safer playground for all.

​How Kidsafe is your playground?
The key hazards of playground or play area safety to look out for are:

Hard surfaces under equipment.

Inadequate falling space/impact area and playground surfacing.

Lack of maintenance and repair of broken or faulty equipment.

Inadequate supervision.

Potential entrapment.

Pinch points and sharp edges.

Protrusions and tangling hazards.

High platforms without barriers.

Inappropriate use or play.

Trip hazards.

Overcrowded play areas.

Contaminated with dangerous items such as broken glass and syringes.

​
​Want to raise playground and play area safety awareness?
For all the information you need on safe play environments, please refer to our PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS tab or see our extensive list of playground information sheets available to download.

Here in the Territory we have unique issues to consider when playing in and around water and waterways namely box jellyfish, crocodiles and water pipes and drains. Whether at home, camping, visiting family and friends or on holiday, it is always important to keep safety in mind when children are in or near water. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five. Drowning can occur quickly and quietly, without any warning noises. Sadly, on average, one child dies each week in Australia as a result of preventable drowning.

In a bid to reduce injury and death around our water ways, Northern Territory children under five can take advantage of this FREE NT Government initiative. Administered by the How to be Kidsafe around water:

Supervise: Keep a close watch on your child when they are in or around water, this is the most effective way to prevent drowning.

Eliminate hazards: where possible, eliminate the hazards, if there is no water there is no risk! For example, empty buckets and baths when not in use.

Environmental Measures: Fence it in - all pools must have suitable safety barriers to restrict access by young children to the immediate pool surrounds, constructed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1926.1. Block pool and spa access with a safety cover when not in use.

Education and Skill Development: Teach children to swim and make sure you learn resuscitation - the first few minutes in an emergency can make the difference between life and death .

​
​ Water Safety Awareness Program
Royal Life Saving Society, in conjunction with the Northern Territory Water Safety Advisory Council, the Under 5 Water Safety Awareness program provides free water safety lessons for parents and guardians, and their children aged under five in urban, rural and remote areas of the Territory. The program consists of five sessions to develop a child's confidence and ability in water and teach general water safety awareness and rescue techniques.

Unique Issues to the NT
​ Here in the Territory we have unique issues to consider when playing in and around water and waterways namely box jellyfish, crocodiles and water pipes and drains.
​ Box Jelly Fish bites can be lethal and must be treated immediately. The official Box Jelly Fish season is from 1 October to 1 June. For up to date information visit the Box Jellyfish
Department of Health website. ​

​ Water Pipes and Drains
Kidsafe NT is a member of the NT Water Advisory Council and has worked in conjunction with the Territory Government and the Darwin and Palmerston Councils to develop a community awareness campaign to increase awareness of the risk. ​

Crocodile Safety ​
The Northern Territory can claim the position as having the most crocodiles in our waterways than any other state or territory in Australia. With this comes the need to be Crocwise. For more information on how to be Crocwise go to the NRETAS website.

​ For more information on the Australian Standards for pool fencing visit the Check your pool gate and fencing
Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Australian children under 5 years of age. Between 2011-2012, 21 children aged between 0-4 years drowned in Australia - swimming pools were the most common location for drowning amongst this age group, accounting for 38% of drowning incidents.
Northern Territory Government's pool fencing and barrier safety standards site.
​

Are your pool gates Kidsafe?

Gates that don't self-latch or self-close.

Climbable objects in the 'non-climbable' zone outlined in the Australian Standards (e.g. pot plants, chairs, pool pumps near the pool fencing which could allow a child to climb over the fence).

Excess space under the fence.

Misuse (e.g. propping the pool gate open)​

The most common place for childhood injury is in and around the home. Many of these injuries can occur in the backyard and garden The home yard or garden area is the most common location within the home setting that children are sustaining injuries The majority of these presentations are children in the 0-4 age group. Nearly half of all backyard injuries are from falls.​

Considerations:

A backyard that is safe for a twelve year old can be very unsafe for a toddler.

Fences should be well maintained and without gaps or sharp edges.

Backyard play equipment should be sturdy, strong and well-maintained. Also age appropriate.

Never leave motors of any kind switched on and unsupervised when children are around. For example lawn mowers.

Pets. Always supervise children around dogs and teach them how to safely interact with all animals.

Backyard has items such as chemicals, poisons, garden materials, tools and machinery can be dangerous for young children and must be locked away securely when not in use.

Outdoor eating often means barbeques, parties and social eating. Barbeques can be dangerous to unsupervised children.

Sun Safety. Too much sun during childhood can cause skin cancer as they get older. Make sure your kids slip, slop, slap and stay out of the sun during the hottest time of the day.

Children get injured when adults are working in the backyard. Make sure your kids are seperate from the work activities.

Trampoline Safety is flippin important! Statistics show at least eight children per day being injured on trampolines in Australia. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has teamed up with Olympian trampolinist Blake Gaudry, Kidsafe and state consumer affairs agencies to help keep kids safe on trampolines. To view the safety checklist and video developed by Kidsafe in collaboration with the ACCC click on this ​ link.
How to make trampoline play Kidsafe:

One at a time: Ensure only one child at a time uses the trampoline.

Supervise: Supervise children at all times, regardless of age. It is recommended that children under six should not use trampolines but if they do, take extra care with younger children as they are more prone to serious injury on trampolines.

Safety padding: Use safety padding on the frame to avoid injuries if a child accidentally hits the frame.

Check condition of mats and net: Regularly check that the trampoline is in good condition and ensure that the mat and net don't have holes, springs are intact and securely attached at both ends, frame is not bent and leg braces are securely locked.

Hazard free surrounds: Ensure that the area around the trampoline is free from hazards like walls, fences, play equipment or garden furniture. Also make sure there is an overhead clearance to avoid objects like clothes lines, trees and wires.

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Statistics show that nationally, nearly 10% of all child injury hospitalisations are playground related. This equates to over 6,000 children being admitted to hospital each year from playground injury, with countless more children injured who do not require hospital admission. What's more, these numbers appear to be rising.

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Stay safe this wet

Royal Life Saving Society NT Stay Out of Pipes and Drains safety awareness campaign reminds Territorians of the dangers of swimming in pipes and drains this wet season.

Aimed at children and families, the campaign is being run across the Territory where wide, open drains often entice children to swim. It urges parents to talk to their children about water safety, and in particular to stay away from pipes and drains.

The wet season in NT is from November to April and is characterised by higher humidity, monsoonal rains and tropical storms, with an average monthly rainfall of 240mm in the wet season, which can cause our rivers and waterways to become fast-flowing torrents.

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Royal Life Saving Society NT Stay Out of Pipes and Drains safety awareness campaign reminds Territorians of the dangers of swimming in pipes and drains this wet season. Aimed at children and families, the campaign is being run across the Territory where wide, open drains often entice children to swim.

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​NB: Children who exceed the maximum weight and size limitations of the restraints available may use the restraint for the next age group.

Children up to 6 months of age - must be in a rearward facing child restraint or capsule.

Children aged 6 months to 4 years - must be in a child car restraint with an inbuilt harness.

Children aged 4 to 7 years - must be in a booster seat.

Children under 4 years of age - are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.

Children aged 4 to 7 years of age - are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

​Approved child restraints are those certified as compliant with AS/NZS 1754 and must be correctly fitted and used accordingly. ​

Australian Standards set the minimum requirements for materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraints systems in Australia. All child restraints sold or imported to Australia must meet the strict requirements of AS/NZS 1754.

Current legislation requirements state the following:

Children under 4 years of age - are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.

Children aged 4 to 7 years of age - are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

Research clearly demonstrates that persons travelling in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle are at significantly greater risk of severe injury and/or death in the event of a crash. Children may legally ride in the front of a motor vehicle if they are correctly restrained. However, Kidsafe NT does not recommend children under the age of 10-12 years sit in the front seat, especially where there is a passenger airbag fitted. ​

​Kidsafe NT and industry road safety experts recommend that children travel in the rear centre position as the preferred option. This position offers the greatest protection, particularly in the event of side impacts.

A child restraint or safety harness may not be able to be placed in the centre rear seat position due to:
​

The rear seat folds down in a 50/50 split.

The seat has a raised centre hump or excessive contouring.

The driver's seat cannot be positioned to allow the driver to safely operate the vehicle without the seatback position putting pressure on a rearward child restraint.

In these cases, the rear left passenger position is the most suitable option as this is usually the off-road/footpath side of the car.

If a child car restraint has been involved in a severe crash where the main body structure of the car is damaged then the child restraint should be destroyed even if there is no obvious damage and the child wasn't using the restraint at the time. Inform your car insurer of the type and number of child restraints used in your vehicle as many insurers will assist with the cost of replacing your child's car restraint. ​

Child car restraints more than ten years of age are not recommended for use because;

Restraints older than ten years may not perform as they were originally intended.

Australian Standards are reviewed periodically. The most recent reviews were in 1995, 2000 and 2004. Older restraints will not meet new improved design features. ​

It is illegal to sell any restraint that does not comply with AS/NZS 1754. Before using a second-hand child car restraint check for an Australian Standards Sticker (AS/NZS1754), date of manufacture and the history of the restraint. We do not recommend the use of second hand car restraints if you do not know the history of the restraint (i.e. if it has been in an accident). If you are unsure whether to use a second-hand car restraint come and visit us at Kidsafe NT and our team of friendly staff can inspect it for you. ​

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​NB: Children who exceed the maximum weight and size limitations of the restraints available may use the restraint for the next age group. Children up to 6 months of age - must be in a rearward facing child restraint or capsule.

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Serious scalds or burns can be caused by children turning on the hot-water tap or by being put into a scalding hot bath.

Other scalds are caused by hot liquids from drinks, kettles, jugs, saucepans, and microwaved food such as two-minute noodles.

How to prevent scalds at home

Make sure the thermostat control on your hot-water system is set below 50 degrees Celsius.

Run cold water into the bath first and always test it before bathing your child.

Keep electrical cords, jugs and irons out of reach of children.

Never have hot drinks such as tea or coffee when you are holding your child.

Be careful with cooking when children are around.

Keep hot things back from the edge of tables. Turn the saucepan handles away from the edge of the stove. Use a stove guard.

Have a fire extinguisher or fire blanket in the kitchen that is easy to get to.

Use placemats instead of table cloths.

Use short or curly electrical cords that don't hang over the sides of benches.

If a child has a scald, cool the burnt area under running cold water for at least 20 minutes. Never use ice to cool the skin. If the scald is bigger than a 20-cent piece, see a doctor or take your child to the hospital.

Keep electrical cords, jugs and irons out of the reach of children.

More information

For more ideas, activities and tips go to the 7 Steps to Safety page on the Department of Children and Families website.

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Serious scalds or burns can be caused by children turning on the hot-water tap or by being put into a scalding hot bath. Other scalds are caused by hot liquids from drinks, kettles, jugs, saucepans, and microwaved food such as two-minute noodles. Make sure the thermostat control on your hot-water system is set below 50 degrees Celsius.

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The kitchen, bathroom, laundry and garden shed can contain dangerous substances.

These can cause poisoning or chemical burns if swallowed, or burn a child's skin or eyes.

Children may not know the difference between containers that hold food and drink and those that hold chemicals and detergents.

Keep the poisons hotline number handy and in your phone. Call 13 11 26.

Put child-resistant locks on laundry, kitchen and bathroom cupboards that contain medicines, cleaning products and toiletries. This includes deodorants, perfume and shaving lotions.

Use a child-resistant medicine cupboard for all medicines, including oral contraceptives. Don't leave them on top of your bedside table or in the drawers.

Check that visitors don't leave bags with tablets in them within your child's reach.

Keep alcohol and medicines locked away from children.

Don't store things like chemicals and cleaning products in food containers. Keep them in their original containers with child-resistant lids.

Keep medicines and pills in their original packaging. Ask your local pharmacist how to get rid of old medicines.

For more information, go to the following websites:

For more ideas, activities and tips go to the 7 Steps to Safety page on the Department of Children and Families website.

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The kitchen, bathroom, laundry and garden shed can contain dangerous substances. These can cause poisoning or chemical burns if swallowed, or burn a child's skin or eyes. Children may not know the difference between containers that hold food and drink and those that hold chemicals and detergents.

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Burn injuries are common, with approximately 1% of the Australian and New Zealand population seeking medical assistance for a burn injury each year; many patients with burns are children. ¹ Scald and contact burns account for the majority of paediatric burns in NSW, with friction burns from treadmills increasingly common. ² Initial management of a patient presenting with a burn involves performing immediate first aid, conducting primary and secondary surveys and obtaining an accurate and thorough history of both the burn and general medical history. Tetanus immunity should be confirmed, and appropriate vaccination or a booster administered if immunity is unclear or not current. The focus of this article is minor burns, defined as a total body surface area (TBSA) of <5%, in children aged under 16 years.

First aid for burns

The aim of first aid is to halt the burn process and to cool the burn wound. ¹ First aid is most effective immediately or at least within the first hours after a burn, helping to reduce production of inflammatory mediators as well as prevent further damage and necrosis of the skin. It usually also provides an added analgesic effect. 1,3,4

To stop the burn process, the heat source must be eliminated. In a flame burn, this may involve extinguishing the flames by rolling on the ground or by using the 'stop, drop, cover (face) and roll' technique. In a scald burn, clothing must be removed as clothing soaked with hot liquid will continue the burn process. If clothing is adherent to the skin, cutting around the area is sufficient. Chemical burns require copious irrigation with water to mitigate the burn process.

The Australia and New Zealand Burn Association (ANZBA) recommends 20 minutes of cooling with cool running water (approximately 15 °C). ¹ Running water is preferable as the flow is constant and the water remains at a consistently cool temperature. Alternative techniques such as spray bottles, bathing the burnt area in water or application of wet towels are less effective, more labour intensive and require frequent monitoring to ensure that the cooling agent has not become warm. Ice or iced water is contraindicated as it increases the risk of hypothermia and leads to vasoconstriction, which in turn may lead to a deeper burn. ⁴ It is important to exercise caution when cooling patients, especially at the extremes of age, as they are at particular risk of developing hypothermia. 1,3,4 Ensuring the unaffected areas remain warm and dry will help prevent hypothermia from occurring. Application of cool water should be ceased if any signs of hypothermia are noted. Cooling may be recommenced once the child's body temperature has normalised to ensure adequate first aid. Any jewellery should be removed as this may retain heat or cause constriction when swelling occurs.

Assessment of burn severity

Assessment of the depth and area of a burn is important to determine whether a patient requires urgent transfer to, or follow-up with, a burns unit as an ambulatory care patient, or may be treated solely by their general practitioner (GP). The size of a burn is also used to calculate intravenous fluid requirements (when the burn is >10% TBSA) and helps guide whether patients should be commenced on other supportive treatments such as supplementary nutrition.

Size of burn

Many techniques may be used to calculate the area of a burn injury, which is usually expressed as a percentage of the patient's TBSA. Traditional methods include the rule of nines chart, Lund and Browder chart and the Palmar Method. The Lund and Browder and rule of nines charts have been designed to take into consideration the different body shapes and proportions of adults and children. The Palmar Method is useful for smaller burns that have a patchy or scattered distribution. Many smartphone applications, such as the NSW Trauma App, ⁵ have also been developed to assist clinicians with estimating the extent of a burn. Regardless of the technique used, only the partial-thickness and full-thickness elements of the burn are included in the calculation; epidermal burns (erythema-only areas) should be excluded. ¹ Many scalp burns require shaving of the hair to ascertain the extent of the burn.

Burn depth

The depth of a burn will vary depending on the mechanism of the burn, duration of exposure to the heat source, temperature of the heat source and skin thickness. Burn depth is clinically assessed by examining the skin colour, capillary refill, presence of blistering and sensation. Superficial epidermal burns consist of erythema only, whereas superficial dermal burns are usually pink and painful under blistered skin. Mid-dermal burns are often darker pink with a sluggish capillary refill. Deep dermal burns appear mottled with fixed staining and have no capillary refill. Full thickness burns are white, feel leathery and sensation is absent (Table 1). ² Burns are dynamic and may evolve after the initial assessment. It is important that a burn is reviewed again 2-3 days later to ensure that it remains appropriate for ambulatory care management, either solely by the patient's GP or in conjunction with a burns unit.

When to refer

A burn may be considered minor if it does not meet agreed referral criteria. ³ ANZBA recommends referral to a specialised burns unit for the following burns in children: ¹

burns (partial or full thickness) of >5% TBSA

burns to specific areas such as the face, hands, feet, perineum and genitalia and across major joints

chemical burns

electrical burns including lightning strikes

burns associated with trauma

burns with associated inhalation injuries

circumferential burns of the limbs

or chest

burns in patients with pre-existing medical disorders that could adversely affect patient care and outcomes, such as diabetes or neurological disability

suspected non-accidental injury (eg assault or self-inflicted) or social situation concerns warranting specialist input; this should be a consideration in any paediatric patient presenting with a burn if the history does not fit with the clinical presentation

burns in very young children (aged <1 year).

Some minor burns do not meet the referral guidelines but would warrant referral to a specialised burns unit. One such example would be a smaller-sized deep dermal or full-thickness burn that will require skin grafting to heal and should be referred in a timely manner to a specialist paediatric burns service. Other examples include burns that have not healed within 10 days, burns with signs of infection and healed burns that have developed significant scarring. ⁴

The ambulatory care management of a burn varies across specialised burns units throughout Australia and needs to consider the patient's age; comorbidities; home situation; burn depth, size and location; availability of dressings and pain relief requirements for procedures including cleansing. ⁴ Collaboration with the nearest specialised burns unit will provide assistance with formulation of an individualised management plan and is highly recommended if there are any concerns about the patient or their management. Digital photography or media protocols differ between burn units and should be discussed with the unit as well as ensuring patient, parent or guardian consent has also been obtained.

Management of a burn wound

Blister management

Blisters occur when the epidermis separates from the deeper layers of dermis. Blister management is guided by a specialist's or unit's preference, and there is currently no universally accepted approach. Some of the reasons a clinician may advocate for debridement or aspiration of blister fluid include pain relief, to remove non-viable tissue (decreasing potential infection risk), improve movement of joints (for blisters overlying joints) and to allow for assessment of the burn wound and depth. 3,6

Dressings

An ideal dressing for a burn wound promotes wound healing, provides topical antimicrobial cover and is non-adherent, making removal of dressings less traumatic and more tolerable. 7,8 The aim is to provide an environment that encourages the burn to heal within 14 days, thereby reducing the risk of poor scarring. ⁹

Dressing recommendations vary among burn specialists and between burns units. The types of dressings commonly applied and the rationale for their use have been summarised in Table 2. This should only be used as a guide, and discussion with your nearest burns unit is recommended if there is any uncertainty.

Dressings tips and tricks

Certain areas of the body can be more difficult to dress and keep intact, particularly in children, who may not be compliant with the application, maintenance or removal of dressings. In the younger age group, secondary dressings for retention are recommended. We provide examples of how the authors' burns unit would dress areas such as the head, trunk, hand and fingers in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Example of dressing methods for difficult areas
A. Dressings to burns of the upper arm or shoulder (or upper thigh and hip) are more likely to remain intact if extended around the torso; B. Hand and finger dressing; fingers are dressed individually to ensure burnt surfaces are separated; C,D. Head bandages can be reinforced with a bandage wrapped around the face to prevent the head bandage from slipping off.

Other considerations

Protection of a recently healed burn

A burn injury may cause damage to the skin's sebaceous glands, leading to a reduction in the skin's natural moisture. ⁴ Once healed, regular application of a simple moisturiser such as sorbolene (containing purified water, glycerine and mineral oils) will help prevent breakdown of a recently healed burn. Showering or bathing with a non-soap based cleanser or simple moisturiser is recommended to prevent skin dryness. Burns also lead to loss of melanocytes and changes in melanin production, resulting in pigment changes in the skin at the site of the burn. While this often improves over time, parents should be warned of this phenomenon and encourage their children to use sunscreen or avoid direct exposure to sunlight. 10,11

Pruritis

Pruritis may occur as part of the healing process after a burn and may persist once the burn wound has re-epithelialised. The severity and frequency of itch is not necessarily an indication of burn depth or size, and patients may feel an itch on the burn itself, at the skin graft site or over the donor site. ¹ Management options include oral antihistamines and, once healed, topical treatment such as moisturising and massaging, and pressure using tubular bandages or custom-made pressure garments provided by physiotherapists or occupational therapists.

Antibiotics

Prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely prescribed to patients with burns in the authors' burns unit, unless there is clinical evidence of an acute infection. ⁴ A wound swab is recommended if there are signs of an infection, and antibiotics should be chosen on the basis of sensitivities. Consultation with the infectious diseases team is recommended.

Analgesia

Burn-related procedures, from removal of dressings to deroofing of blisters, can be painful and anxiety provoking. When a patient has planned follow-up at your practice, it may be helpful to advise analgesia (eg paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine, as appropriate) be taken 30 minutes prior to the appointment. Consideration of procedural preparation and intraprocedural distraction can be useful in reducing patient anxiety, especially in the younger patient cohort. If your facility is unable to provide adequate analgesia or comfort/distraction measures, referral to your nearest burns unit is strongly recommended.

Minimise burn progression by providing effective first aid - 20 minutes of cool running water and removal of heat source (eg clothing).

A complete burn assessment includes a primary survey and detailed history of the burn injury.

Call emergency services on Triple Zero (000) if the burn is life or limb threatening or if >10% TBSA.

Refer to your state's specialist paediatric burns unit if any suspicion of non-accidental injury or if the burn meets your state's referral criteria.

Deep burns (deep dermal or full thickness) or burns that have not healed within 7-10 days should be referred to your state's paediatric burns unit.

Apply a burns dressing (Table 2) to help promote wound healing.

Procedural preparation/distraction and adequate analgesia may reduce patient trauma and anxiety.

Protect a recently healed burn with sun protection, regular moisturisation, avoidance of soap washes and alleviation of pruritus.

Hydrocolloid

Aids autolysis of devitalised tissue

Moderately absorbent

Conformable

Provides moist wound environment

Superficial to mid‑dermal burns

Not recommended if infection present or in highly exudative wounds

Paraffin gauze
Also available with chlorhexidine

Non-adherent

Conformable

Antiseptic if chlorhexidine impregnated

Apply to clean wound

Change every 1- 3 days

Can leave chlorhexidine-impregnated gauze intact for up to 5 days

Soak off if adherent to wound

Silver

Nanocrystalline silver-coated mesh with inner rayon layer

May leave temporary stain on skin

Silver sulphadiazine 1% cream

Apply to clean wound daily

Not recommended in most units - labour intensive, may change appearance of wound

Sodium carboxymethycellulose with 1.2% ionic silver in fibrous material

Absorbs exudate, facilitates debridement

Dermal to full-thickness burns

Apply to clean wound, leaving a 2-5 cm border around wound, cover with secondary dressing, leave intact until wound heals

Heavy exudate may require more frequent dressing changes

Specialist paediatric burns units in Australia

Australia and New Zealand

NSW and ACT

Vic

Qld

SA

WA

Tas

NT

Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin 08 8922 8888

References

1. Australian & New Zealand Burn Association. Emergency management of severe burns: Course manual. 17th ed. Albany Creek, QLD: ANZBA, 2013. Search PubMed

2. Australian & New Zealand Burn Association. BRANZ Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand: Annual Report 1st July 2016 - 30th June 2017. Melbourne: ANZBA, 2017. Search PubMed

3. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation. Minor burn management: Clinical guidelines. 4th edn. Chatswood, NSW: ACI, 2019. Search PubMed

4. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation. Burn patient management: Summary of evidence. 4th edn. Chatswood, NSW: ACI, 2018. Search PubMed

5. NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation. NSW Trauma App. Chatswood, NSW: ACI, 2018. Available at https://itunes.apple.com/au/app/nsw-trauma/id1030612905 [Accessed 16 July 2019]. Search PubMed

6. Douglas HE, Wood F. Burns dressings. Aust Fam Physician 2017;46(3):94-97. Search PubMed

7. Carta T, Gawaziuk JP, Diaz-Abele J, Liu S, Jeschke M, Logsetty S. Properties of an ideal burn dressing: A survey of burn survivors and front-line healthcare providers. Burns 2019;45(2):364-68. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2018.09.021. Search PubMed

8. Selig HF, Lumenta DB, Giretzlehner M, Jeschke MG, Upton D, Kamolz LP. The properties of an 'ideal' burn wound dressing - What do we need in daily clinical practice? Results of a worldwide online survey among burn care specialists. Burns 2012;38(7):960-66. doi: 10.1016/j.burns.2012.04.007. Search PubMed

9. Chipp E, Charles L, Thomas C, Whiting K, Moiemen N, Wilson Y. A prospective study of time to healing and hypertrophic scarring in paediatric burns: Every day counts. Burns Trauma 2017;5(3):1-6. doi: 10.1186/s41038-016-0068-2. Search PubMed

10. de Chalain TM, Tang C, Thomson HG. Burn area colour changes after superficial burns in childhood: Can they be predicted? J Burn Care Rehabil 1998;19(1 Pt 1):39-49. doi: 10.1097/00004630-199801000-00010. Search PubMed

11. Callender VD, St Surin-Lord S, Davis EC, Maclin M. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: Etiologic and therapeutic considerations. Am J Clin Dermatol 2011;12(2):87-99. doi: 10.2165/11536930-000000000-00000. Search PubMed

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Burn injuries are common, with approximately 1% of the Australian and New Zealand population seeking medical assistance for a burn injury each year; many patients with burns are children. 1 Scald and contact burns account for the majority of paediatric burns in NSW, with friction burns from treadmills increasingly common.

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If the Northern Territory government had adopted the recommendation of a 2010 board of inquiry, it could have stopped an exponential increase in child protection notifications, the NT royal commission has heard.

On the third day of its first public hearing, the inquiry into the protection and detention of children in the Northern Territory heard from Muriel Bamblett, the chief executive of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency and co-author of the 2010 Growing Them Strong, Together report on child safety in the NT.

Adequately funding family support services to prevent child abuse and neglect is a "no-brainer" but governments have consistently failed to do so, Bamblett told the commission.

The royal commission, called by the prime minister in response to national outrage over mistreatment of children in detention, has been tasked to examine the past decade of child protection and detention issues. Aboriginal children are vastly overrepresented in both systems.

This current hearing is examining the many reports and inquiries already conducted into child protection issues and has heard a common refrain that very few were adequately acted upon by governments.

Bamblett said the NT's statutory child protection system has only one response: to judge people as "bad parents" and take their children away, rather than providing support and services in the early years.

The NT government had never invested in a comprehensive service system, she said, and that contributed to high numbers of child protection cases, which continued to grow after the board finished its inquiry.

The number of children placed in out-of-home care increased by 215% in the 10 years to 2010.

"It's a no-brainer, you have to invest in families to keep children safe," she said.

"If the NT government had implemented our recommendations around putting in services to the front of house, I think those numbers would absolutely have been reduced."

Bamblett said it was a "shame" and "embarrassing" that the NT, with one of the biggest Indigenous child welfare issues in the country, did not have a specific Indigenous child welfare services agency, despite the report recommending one.

Current systems failed in part because they did not work with Indigenous communities to find flexible, appropriate solutions, she said.

She said the housing shortage in Aboriginal communities must be addressed as a priority, or "the situation wouldn't change for Aboriginal families".

During the investigation, which Bamblett stressed mainly visited communities of the highest need, houses with 20 to 30 people were often encountered.

"Imagine being a young parent, having a baby and coming home to a house where there are 20 people living ... How would you ensure the safety of the child when everyone's co-sleeping?"

During the investigation she learned of female victims of family violence locked up in shipping containers with no mattresses, ostensibly for their protection, and children facing the court system with no legal representation.

"That wouldn't happen in any other state or territory," she told the commission.

"It basically says that a lot of Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory don't enjoy the same basic rights as Aboriginal people everywhere else in Australia and, to escape the poverty of neglect and disadvantage, they have to leave the Northern Territory and go elsewhere," she said.

The inquiry found widespread fear of the child protection system among Aboriginal people and some communities also dealt with high levels of gambling.

"It was a response to boredom," she said.

Bamblett cited one example where card games often went for days and $10,000 could be won in a single hand. It was reported $60,000 could go through an ATM after pension day but only a third might be spent at the local store, she said, and the community still lived in abject poverty.

She said there needed to be investment in things "which made the community feel good", such as movie nights, to engage communities with alternatives to gambling.

The report also found an overwhelmed mandatory reporting system which "inundated" the department of children and families with child protection notifications.

A number were viewed as not needing investigation but still tied up resources and staffing, and created a backlog of notifications, which Bamblett told the commission "would certainly place children at risk".

Earlier this week the commission heard evidence of falsified reports that saw notifications finalised without investigation in order to ease the backlog.

She said the Growing Them Strong, Together report encountered widespread inadequate funding but also instances of underspending.

"It just defies understanding that you've got a system that's imploding because of resource implications and yet there's an underspend," she said.

They discovered duplication, inconsistency in approaches, and a lack of communication and coordination.

There was more success when services were engaged on the ground, delivered by community controlled organisations, she said. But, in her experience, Indigenous organisations struggled to get government funding compared with non-Indigenous organisations.

The commission continues in Darwin.

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NT child protection cases rose sharply due to lack of funding for support services

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If the Northern Territory government had adopted the recommendation of a 2010 board of inquiry, it could have stopped an exponential increase in child protection notifications, the NT royal commission has heard.

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National Child Restraint Best Practice Guidelines

The latest National Guidelines for the Safe Restraint of Children Travelling in Motor Vehicles developed under the auspices of Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Kidsafe with best practice recommendations approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have been released!

NeuRA and Kidsafe want to see all children as safe as they can be when travelling in vehicles. The Guidelines ensures that parents receive straightforward, consistent advice from all sources on how to keep children safe in cars.

Northern Territory Child Car Restraint Legislation

As of 1st February 2013 the Northern Territory Government announced new laws for children travelling in vehicles. The new laws require all children in the under seven years of age to be secured in an approved child restraint or booster seat when travelling in a vehicle. The new laws are based on the Australian Road Rules and are designed to ensure that children are better protected when travelling in cars and other vehicles.

For further information go to NT Government Website .

If you have any questions relating to the new laws or to arrange for a child car restraint fitting, conversion, check, hire or purchase please contact us.

Information Sheets

Newsletter Sign Up

We update our information sheets regularly. To ensure you always have the most up to date, please sign up to our newsletter below.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The latest National Guidelines for the Safe Restraint of Children Travelling in Motor Vehicles developed under the auspices of Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and Kidsafe with best practice recommendations approved by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have been released!

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In the Northern Territory, key child protection responsibilities for sport and recreation relate to:

Working with Children Checks
What are the screening requirements for sporting organisations?
Since 1 July 2011, it is mandatory for people who have contact or potential contact with children in certain specified areas of employment to hold a Working with Children Clearance Notice. The screening process has been established under the Northern Territory's Care and Protection of Children Act and is conducted by SAFE NT, a unit of the Northern Territory Police.
What does the screening assess?
The Working with Children Clearance screening is a criminal and employment record check that ensures there is nothing in the candidate's history which may constitute a serious risk of harm to children. Some candidates who apply for a Working with Children Clearance will have a criminal history. However, this does not automatically mean they will be disqualified from obtaining a Clearance.
Who must hold a Clearance Notice?
Any person over the age of 15 years already working in, or who wants to work or volunteering, "child-related" work must hold a Clearance Notice. Any person whose employer or volunteer organisation requires them to work with children as part of their employment or volunteering role must hold a Clearance Notice.
Who is exempt?
There are a few limited circumstances where a person may be exempt from having to apply for a Clearance Notice, such as where the person provides babysitting or child minding in a private capacity to family or friends.
Are there penalties for not having a Working with Children Clearance Notice?
Yes. It is the responsibility of the person who wants to work or volunteer with children to apply for the Clearance Notice and ensure that it remains valid. Penalties and fines can be located on the Safe NT site.
How can I get a Working with Children Clearance?
SAFE NT is responsible for coordinating the screening process. Application forms and identification requirements are available from the Working with Children website, Northern Territory Police Stations and Territory Business Centres.
What happens if someone does not pass the screening?
SAFE NT will advise the person that they will not have a Clearance Notice issued and will not be able to work in child-related employment.If they do not agree with the decision, they can ask for it to be reviewed in the Local Court of the Northern Territory.
How much will it cost?
The cost of a Working with Children Clearance (including the Ochre Card) is detailed on the Safe NT site.
How long is the Working with Children Clearance valid for?
A Working with Children Clearance is valid for two years from the date of issue (unless revoked). If a person wishes to continue to work or volunteer with children after this time they will need to apply again.
What if I have a volunteer card and then start paid employment?
If a person who holds an Ochre Card marked with a 'V' for Volunteer enters paid child-related employment, their card remains valid until expiry.If that person continues in child-related employment, they must renewal their Working with Children Clearance, pay the necessary fee and will then be issued with an Ochre Cardmarked with an 'E' for Employment.Resources
Where can I get further information or resources?
Northern Territory Government - Working with Children

Mandatory reporting
Who is required to report?
In the Northern Territory, any person who believes that a child is being, or has been, abused or neglected is required by law to report their concerns. This includes paid employees and volunteers who are involved with child in sport.You don't have to have proof. You only need to report your concerns.
What gets reported?
Any reasonable suspicion of harm against a child (e.g. neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse).
Where to make a report

Reports should be made to the Territory Families Child Protection Branch 24 hour Centralised Intake Service free-call ph:1800 700 250

If you believe a child is in immediate danger or in a life-threatening situation, contact the Police immediately by dialling 000.

Current legislation
The Department of Children and Families Child Protection Branch has primary responsibility for implementing the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007. This Act provides for the protection and care of children and the promotion of family welfare.

Reporting child abuse

In addition, since 1 July 2011, it is mandatory for people who have contact or potential contact with children in certain specified areas of employment to hold a Working with Children Clearance Notice. More information is available from Safe NT website

Child safe environments

It is everybody's responsibility to implement and maintain child-safe environments. We all have a role to play in keeping children safe and promoting well being.

It is good practice to put strategies in place to prevent offenders from gaining access to yourorganisation and reducing opportunities for abuse. Child-safe environment strategies are put in place to prevent and minimise opportunities for child abuse within your organisation, including preventing offenders from gaining access to children through your organisation.

An important strategy in developing child-safe environments is staff development:

Ensuring that all staff (paid and volunteers) understand their mandatory and/or ethical reporting obligations for suspected child abuse and/or neglect

Ensuring all staff have a clear understanding of what is acceptable/unacceptable behaviour and know who to contact about concerns they may have

Organisations working to create child-safe environments and strengthen their environment are committed to and understand the importance of children's safety.

Updated: August 2017

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NT child safety laws - Play by the Rules - Making Sport inclusive, safe and fair

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In the Northern Territory, key child protection responsibilities for sport and recreation relate to: What are the screening requirements for sporting organisations? Since 1 July 2011, it is mandatory for people who have contact or potential contact with children in certain specified areas of employment to hold a Working with Children Clearance Notice.

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8948 5311 (office)0448 849 234 (24 hour bereavement line)

PO Box 188 NIGHTCLIFF NT 0814

Provides Safe Sleeping education and advice to parents, grandparents, carers and health and child care professionals.

Provides 24 hour counselling support for anyone affected by the death of a child (conception to 18 years of age) regardless of cause of death.

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8948 5311 (office)0448 849 234 (24 hour bereavement line) PO Box 188 NIGHTCLIFF NT 0814 Provides Safe Sleeping education and advice to parents, grandparents, carers and health and child care professionals. Provides 24 hour counselling support for anyone affected by the death of a child (conception to 18 years of age) regardless of cause of death.

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Help with legal requirements

This page has information for child care providers about your regulatory authority, approval to operate a service and quality assessment and rating.

Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT)

Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) regulates early childhood education and care services (including child care providers) in the Northern Territory under the National Quality Framework.

The role of QECNT includes:

ensuring services comply with the law

approving applications to operate a child care service

quality rating of services against national standards

incident and complaint investigation.

Approval and notification requirements

QECNT can assist you with any of the following:

applying to become a registered provider of child care

applying to operate a service or centre

applying to become a certified supervisor

notification of change of status, incidents or complaints.

Go to the national authority ACECQA website for more information on approval and notification requirements.

Quality assessment and rating

Childcare services are assessed and rated under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

QECNT undertakes the assessment and rating process in the Territory.

Go to the ACECQA website for more information on assessment and rating.

Read more about the National Quality Framework.

Contact

You can contact Quality Education and Care NT by either:
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Help with legal requirements - NT.GOV.AU

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This page has information for child care providers about your regulatory authority, approval to operate a service and quality assessment and rating. Quality Education and Care NT (QECNT) regulates early childhood education and care services (including child care providers) in the Northern Territory under the National Quality Framework.

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The National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020

On 30 April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the first National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020 (the National Framework).

In response to the increasing number of Australian children who are being exposed to child abuse and neglect, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the non-government sector, through the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing, are working together to implement a comprehensive national approach to protecting Australia's children.

The National Framework outlines an ambitious, long-term national approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of Australia's children. It aims to deliver a substantial and sustained reduction in levels of child abuse and neglect over time. The National Framework is being implemented through a series of action plans.

The Fourth Action Plan: 2018 - 2020

The Fourth Action Plan (2018-2020) under the National Framework was endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers in December 2018.

The four key priorities of the Fourth Action Plan are:

Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children at risk of entering, or in contact with child protection systems.

Improving prevention and early intervention through joint service planning and investment.

Improving outcomes for children in out-of-home care by enhancing placement stability through reunification and other permanent care options.

Improving organisations' ability to keep children and young people safe from abuse.
Key achievements under the Fourth Action Plan 2018-2020 include:
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle (ATSICPP) aims to keep children connected to their families, communities, cultures and country while ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people participate in decisions about their children's care and protection. SNAICC - National Voice for our Children has developed a Guide to Support Implementation of the ATSICPP. Based on the new resource, SNAICC has held workshops with state and territory government child protection practitioners and policy makers, to support better implementation of the Child Placement Principle.

The Third Action Plan: 2015-2018

The Third Action Plan (2015-2018) under the National Framework was endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory Ministers in October 2015.

Three strategies are included in the Third Action Plan:

1. early intervention, with a focus on the early years - particularly the first 1,000 days for a child

2. helping young people in out-of-home care to thrive in adulthood

3. organisations responding better to children and young people to keep them safe.

There are two cross-cutting focus areas:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families

research and reporting under the Third Action Plan.

Key achievements under the Third Action Plan 2015-2018 include:
The Third Action Plan is reaching its conclusion, however, key initiatives will continue to be delivered to 2020 including:

The Second Action Plan: 2012-2015

The ( Second Action Plan 2012-2015) under the National Framework was endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory governments in 2012. The Second Action Plan emphasised the need to develop local partnerships to deliver local solutions, recognising that a 'one-size fits all' approach does not work across Australia's diverse communities. Implementation of the second three-year action plan has been completed.
Key achievements under the Second Action Plan 2012-2015 include:
The First Action Plan: 2009-2012

The First Action Plan (2009-2012) under the National Framework was endorsed by Commonwealth, state and territory governments in 2009. Implementation of the first three-year action plan has been completed.

The First Action Plan outlined 12 National Principles that focused action by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments and the non-government sector during the first three years of the National Framework. In 2010, Ministers identified an additional National Priority, Working with Children Checks.
Key Achievements under the First Action Plan 2009-2012 include:
Publications

Further information
Australian Capital Territory New South Wales Northern Territory Queensland South Australia Tasmania Victoria Western Australian Nationally

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On 30 April 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the first National Framework for Protecting Australia's Children 2009-2020 (the National Framework). In response to the increasing number of Australian children who are being exposed to child abuse and neglect, the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and the non-government sector, through the National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing, are working together to implement a comprehensive national approach to protecting Australia's children.

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Penalty units

If you are fined in the Northern Territory, you will be charged in penalty units rather than dollar amounts.

A penalty unit is a set amount of money used to work out each fine.

Your fine is calculated by multiplying the value of a single unit by the number of penalty units for each offence. Read about the Penalty Units Act 2009.

How much is a penalty unit

This amount changes every new financial year in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Darwin on 1 July.

For more information on CPI go to the Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

How to calculate

You can find the most common penalty unit amounts used in Territory Revenue Office forms and declarations.

The table below shows the past and current value of penalty units.
Print all pages in this section

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If you are fined in the Northern Territory, you will be charged in penalty units rather than dollar amounts. A penalty unit is a set amount of money used to work out each fine. Your fine is calculated by multiplying the value of a single unit by the number of penalty units for each offence.

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The NT's climate is perfect for water activities. Follow these precautions when boating, fishing or swimming to make the most of the aquatic fun.

Swimming safety

You'll find plenty of safe places to swim in the Northern Territory, as long as you check the safety signs and exercise caution. Check for warnings about the presence of saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish (stingers), and if in doubt, stay out of the water. Do not jump or dive into shallow water or into waterholes, rivers, or creeks, as submerged rocks and logs can cause serious injury. And if you're going to the beach, choose a beach patrolled by lifesavers and make sure you swim between the red and yellow flags, wear protective clothing (stinger suits) and carry vinegar in case of jellyfish stings.

Boating and fishing safety

Boating and fishing is an integral part of local life - keep safe by familiarising yourself with local boating regulations and marine safety, and always tell someone where you're going and when you expect to return.

Be wary of saltwater crocodiles and box jellyfish. Do not clean fish, or dispose of carcasses in or near the water, or near boat ramps, and never dangle your limbs or wash your hands over the side of the boat. If possible, avoid standing in the water when launching and recovering your boat.

Be prepared for an emergency: carry an EPIRB or satellite phone, extra fuel, tools, basic spare parts, a first aid kit, life jackets and sufficient food and water for those on board. Always stay with your vehicle or boat if something goes wrong.

As with any outdoor activity, if you're in or on the water, make sure you protect yourself again sun exposure with a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.

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Water safety | Safety information | Northern Territory, Australia

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The NT's climate is perfect for water activities. Follow these precautions when boating, fishing or swimming to make the most of the aquatic fun. You'll find plenty of safe places to swim in the Northern Territory, as long as you check the safety signs and exercise caution.

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Introduction

When travelling in a vehicle a child must be properly restrained to reduce the chance of serious injury or death if involved in a car crash.

A child restraint will protect your child from being ejected from the vehicle. It will also move the force of a crash to the strongest parts of a child's body.

All children under seven must be secured in an approved child restraint or booster seat when travelling in a car or vehicle in the Northern Territory.

You must also properly install a child restraint.

If you don't make sure your child is properly restrained you could face penalties.

Print all pages in this section

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When travelling in a vehicle a child must be properly restrained to reduce the chance of serious injury or death if involved in a car crash. A child restraint will protect your child from being ejected from the vehicle. It will also move the force of a crash to the strongest parts of a child's body.

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Driving unregistered vehicle

It is an offence to drive an unregistered or uninsured vehicle. In the Northern Territory (NT), compulsory third-party insurance is paid at the same time as the registration fee.

For more information read Section 6 of the NT Road Users' Handbook.

If you do not register and insure your vehicle, you can be fined or may have to go to court.

You may not be covered by your private vehicle insurance if your vehicle is unregistered and you are involved in a crash.

Driving unregistered/uninsured vehicle (one month or less and is not a heavy vehicle)

$300

Driving unregistered/uninsured vehicle (more than one month but less than 12 months and is not a heavy vehicle)

$800

Drive unregistered / uninsured motor vehicle (where vehicle unregistered or uninsured for 12 months or more and is not a heavy vehicle)

$1500

Driving without L plates/P plates

Novice drivers and riders must display their L or P plates otherwise they will be fined and given demerit points.

Driving without your licence

You must carry your licence at all times when driving or riding.

If you fail to show your licence when requested by police you could be given an on-the-spot fine.

Larger penalties could apply if you are caught driving while disqualified from holding a driver licence, or when your licence has been cancelled, refused or suspended.

Mobile phones and visual display units

You must not use a hand-held mobile phone or visual display unit while driving, even if you are stopped at traffic lights.

Railway crossing offences and penalties

When approaching a railway crossing, look and listen for trains, and slow down to a speed that allows you to stop quickly.

Serious driving offences

If you are convicted of a serious driving offence you can be disqualified from driving by a court. The court decides how long you should be disqualified for and you could even be sent to prison.

The following types of offences are heard in front of a Local Court judge and penalties can include a large fine, a prison term and disqualification from driving:

not stopping after a crash in which someone was injured or killed

driving while under the influence of alcohol or a drug

driving without a valid licence for the type of vehicle

driving while disqualified

driving at a dangerous speed

driving in a dangerous manner.

Heavier penalties may apply for second or subsequent offences.

Seat belt offences and penalties

As the driver of a vehicle you are responsible to make sure all passengers are properly restrained in a seat belt or approved child restraint. The following offences apply for not wearing a seat belt.

Speeding

Penalties for exceeding the speed limit include demerit points, fines and licence suspension. Penalties increase depending on how many kilometres per hour over the speed limit you are going.

Traffic light offences and penalties

Red light cameras are used to photograph vehicles that go through a red light.

If you are sent a penalty notice for driving through a red light, you can do one of the following:

pay the fine

submit a statutory declaration to NT Police to declare the name and address of the person driving the vehicle at the time of the offence

advise the NT Police that you want to have the case heard by a court.

Penalties for failing to obey red and yellow traffic lights include demerit points and a fine.

Penalty units

The amount you have to pay for your penalty is measured in penalty units.

To find out how much you have to pay you will need to multiply the number of units by the penalty unit value.

Find out more about penalty units.

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It is an offence to drive an unregistered or uninsured vehicle. In the Northern Territory (NT), compulsory third-party insurance is paid at the same time as the registration fee. For more information read Section 6 of the NT Road Users' Handbook.

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Posted May 23, 2019 19:08:36

A seven-year-old boy and a 21-year-old father of two have been killed and two others badly injured in a two-car crash on one of Darwin's major intersections.

Police said one of the cars involved may have been speeding and ran a red light before the accident.

The accident happened just before midnight on Wednesday, at the intersection of Tiger Brennan Drive and Berrimah Rd, killing Wade Williams and the child, who were passengers in a SUV.

Police began surveying the crash site at first light on Thursday morning.

NT Police Commander Matt Hollamby described it as "very tragic circumstances".

"It would appear at this stage that a car was going too fast and ran a red light at T-boned another car," he said.

"Unfortunately, two people have died as a result of it and the two others are very seriously injured."

Two others, a 24-year-old woman and a 42-year-old man, were taken to Royal Darwin Hospital in a critical condition.

As of 4:30pm on Thursday, the woman was in a stable condition in the hospital's intensive care unit, while the man remained under assessment in the emergency department.

Mr Williams had moved to Darwin from Hobart last October to help his younger brother Kyle with his removalist business.

"He came up here to better his life," said his father, Grant Williams.

"He was doing really well.

"His kids love him, everyone took a liking to him as soon as they met him, he's one of them happy-go-lucky boys, no cares in the world."

Mr Williams leaves behind two young children, two brothers and seven sisters.

'It's going to be a long investigation'

Commander Hollamby said "the investigation is just starting".

"It's a serious crash. People have died. And it's going to be a long investigation," he said.

"We are also investigating whether charges will be laid."

The first call for help was made by an off-duty police officer on his way home from work.

The crash remained a crime scene throughout the morning, causing delays as traffic was diverted away from Tiger Brennan Drive - one of the main arterial roads into Darwin.

Crews worked to clean up the debris and the SUV's wreckage, and roads reopened just after lunch time.

The scene of the deadly accident was the same intersection where three architects were killed after their car was hit by an aviation fire truck in 2011.

NT Police put out a call for Territorians to remain safe on the roads as the NT road toll rose to 13 for 2019, compared to 21 at the same time last year.

Major Crash Detectives are investigating the cause of the crash.

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Seven-year-old boy killed in double fatal on major Darwin intersection

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Posted May 23, 2019 19:08:36 A seven-year-old boy and a 21-year-old father of two have been killed and two others badly injured in a two-car crash on one of Darwin's major intersections. Police said one of the cars involved may have been speeding and ran a red light before the accident.

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We now offer a child seat cleaning service for all the busy Mums, Dads & carers out there!

Our $65.00 Car Seat Cleaning service includes:

The removal of your current child restraint and

Fitment of one of our hire seats, suitable for your car and child (valued at $50.00)

Once your child restraint has been cleaned and sanitised, it will be re-fitted into your car by one of our qualified Type 1 Child Restraint Fitters (valued at $40)

​Please allow for a 48 - 72 hour turn around period from the drop off time of your child car seat.
If you would like to book in your child restraint for our Cleaning Service please call us on 08 8941 8234 or contact us.

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Kidsafe NT Child Car Restraint Fitting ​& Checking Service

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We now offer a child seat cleaning service for all the busy Mums, Dads & carers out there!

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Contact Kidsafe NT Email: nt@kidsafent.com.au​ Phone: (08) 8941 8234 Visit us: 1/13 Bishop Street, Woolner NT 0820 Post: PO Box 37662, Winnellie NT 0821

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Royal Life Saving believes everyone can be a lifesaver. Whether as a responsible member of the community or for a lifesaving career, the skills you learn are skills for life.

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Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

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Territory Families, Housing and Communities provides support services across child protection, domestic and family violence, youth justice services, housing, homelessness, social inclusion, sport and active recreation and celebrates arts, culture, heritage, libraries and archives.

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​NB: Children who exceed the maximum weight and size limitations of the restraints available may use the restraint for the next age group.

Children up to 6 months of age - must be in a rearward facing child restraint or capsule.

Children aged 6 months to 4 years - must be in a child car restraint with an inbuilt harness.

Children aged 4 to 7 years - must be in a booster seat.

Children under 4 years of age - are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.

Children aged 4 to 7 years of age - are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

​Approved child restraints are those certified as compliant with AS/NZS 1754 and must be correctly fitted and used accordingly. ​

Australian Standards set the minimum requirements for materials, design, construction, performance, testing and labelling of child restraints systems in Australia. All child restraints sold or imported to Australia must meet the strict requirements of AS/NZS 1754.

Current legislation requirements state the following:

Children under 4 years of age - are NOT permitted to travel in the front passenger seat when there is more than one row of seats in the vehicle.

Children aged 4 to 7 years of age - are ONLY allowed in the front passenger seat if all rear seating positions are in use by children under 7.

Research clearly demonstrates that persons travelling in the front passenger seat of a motor vehicle are at significantly greater risk of severe injury and/or death in the event of a crash. Children may legally ride in the front of a motor vehicle if they are correctly restrained. However, Kidsafe NT does not recommend children under the age of 10-12 years sit in the front seat, especially where there is a passenger airbag fitted. ​

​Kidsafe NT and industry road safety experts recommend that children travel in the rear centre position as the preferred option. This position offers the greatest protection, particularly in the event of side impacts.

A child restraint or safety harness may not be able to be placed in the centre rear seat position due to:
​

The rear seat folds down in a 50/50 split.

The seat has a raised centre hump or excessive contouring.

The driver's seat cannot be positioned to allow the driver to safely operate the vehicle without the seatback position putting pressure on a rearward child restraint.

In these cases, the rear left passenger position is the most suitable option as this is usually the off-road/footpath side of the car.

If a child car restraint has been involved in a severe crash where the main body structure of the car is damaged then the child restraint should be destroyed even if there is no obvious damage and the child wasn't using the restraint at the time. Inform your car insurer of the type and number of child restraints used in your vehicle as many insurers will assist with the cost of replacing your child's car restraint. ​

Child car restraints more than ten years of age are not recommended for use because;

Restraints older than ten years may not perform as they were originally intended.

Australian Standards are reviewed periodically. The most recent reviews were in 1995, 2000 and 2004. Older restraints will not meet new improved design features. ​

It is illegal to sell any restraint that does not comply with AS/NZS 1754. Before using a second-hand child car restraint check for an Australian Standards Sticker (AS/NZS1754), date of manufacture and the history of the restraint. We do not recommend the use of second hand car restraints if you do not know the history of the restraint (i.e. if it has been in an accident). If you are unsure whether to use a second-hand car restraint come and visit us at Kidsafe NT and our team of friendly staff can inspect it for you. ​

Newsletter Sign Up

We update our information sheets regularly. To ensure you always have the most up to date, please sign up to our newsletter below.

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​NB: Children who exceed the maximum weight and size limitations of the restraints available may use the restraint for the next age group. Children up to 6 months of age - must be in a rearward facing child restraint or capsule.

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8948 5311 (office)0448 849 234 (24 hour bereavement line)

PO Box 188 NIGHTCLIFF NT 0814

Provides Safe Sleeping education and advice to parents, grandparents, carers and health and child care professionals.

Provides 24 hour counselling support for anyone affected by the death of a child (conception to 18 years of age) regardless of cause of death.

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8948 5311 (office)0448 849 234 (24 hour bereavement line) PO Box 188 NIGHTCLIFF NT 0814 Provides Safe Sleeping education and advice to parents, grandparents, carers and health and child care professionals. Provides 24 hour counselling support for anyone affected by the death of a child (conception to 18 years of age) regardless of cause of death.

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Report child abuse or neglect

If you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or exploited you must report your concerns. This is a legal responsibility under the Care and Protection of Children Act and is called mandatory reporting.
If it is an emergency call 000 and ask for police.
You can report suspected child abuse to the Child Protection Hotline 1800 700 250 or if you are a Northern Territory Public Servant you can lodge a report using the reporting tool.

You can also make a mandatory report to NT Police on 131 444 or at your local police station.

Visit the reporting child abuse webpage for more information.

Compliments and complaints

Send your feedback by mail, phone,or email. Alternatively you can use one of our online forms:

Attention: Practice Complaints and Investigations Unit
Territory Families
PO Box 37037
WINNELLIE NT 0820

Phone: 1800 750 167
Email: TF.complaints@nt.gov.au

Compliments and complaints policies & procedures

Contact Territory Families

You can contact the Territory Families online via our feedback form or using the contact details below.

Territory Families
PO Box 37037
WINNELLIE NT 0820

To provide feedback about the Royal Commission into the Protection and Detention of Children in the Northern Territory, go to the Royal Commission website.

Summons or Subpoenas

If you cause a summons or subpoena (the Notice) to issue for the production of documentation by Territory Families, please note the following information:

Who do I address the Notice to?

The notice should be addressed, where possible, to the Territory Families Audit, Legal and Information Release Team.

Where the Notice is required to be directed to a person by name, the appropriate person is the Chief Executive Officer, Territory Families - currently Mr Ken Davies.

Where do I send the Notice?

The preferred method is via email to TF.LegalSubpoenas@nt.gov.au

Where a Notice is required to be served in the original please send via registered mail to:

Territory Families Audit, Legal and Information Release Team.
PO Box 37037
Winnellie NT 0820

Where a Notice is required to contain a street address, please direct to:

Territory Families Audit, Legal and Information Release Team, Level 7, Darwin Plaza
41 Smith St Mall
DARWIN NT

Should you be required to effect personal service please attend at:

Territory Families Audit, Legal and Information Release Team
Level 7, Darwin Plaza
41 Smith St Mall
DARWIN NT 0800

How long will it take to respond to the Notice?

Please allow no less than 10 working days from the date of service until the date the documents are to be produced to the Court.

What is Conduct Money?

Conduct money must be supplied upon service of the Notice. A person (including a Government Agency) in receipt of a Notice is not obliged to comply if conduct money has not been provided.

Conduct money is $30. Cheques made out to the Receiver of Territory Monies are preferred, although cash is accepted. BPay and Direct Debit options are available, details of which will be supplied with your invoice.

Please ensure that your Notice is served with a covering letter advising of your contact details and the lawyer with carriage (if applicable)

Each jurisdiction has a slightly different process and either the applicable Rules of the Court or the Court Registry should be consulted to ascertain the proper procedure.

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If you believe a child is being, or has been, harmed or exploited you must report your concerns. This is a legal responsibility under the Care and Protection of Children Act and is called mandatory reporting. If it is an emergency call 000 and ask for police.

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Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities

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Territory Families, Housing and Communities provides support services across child protection, domestic and family violence, youth justice services, housing, homelessness, social inclusion, sport and active recreation and celebrates arts, culture, heritage, libraries and archives.