Keeping kids safe: water, sun, home, travel and play

Water is fun—but it can be dangerous. Keeping children and young people safe around water is one of the most important things you can do as a carer.

• Even a small amount of water—in a bucket, esky, bath, or shallow pool—can be dangerous. Always supervise children and empty water containers after use.

Important safety tips:

• Never leave children alone near water. If you must step away, take them with you.
• Watch toddlers closely near dams, creeks, canals, rivers, pools, or even shallow water. Hold their hand when near open water.
• Not all young people can swim, especially those who didn’t grow up in Australia or near water. Always ensure they are supervised.
• If you’re having a party, picnic, or BBQ by water, nominate adults specifically to keep an eye on children at all times.
• Make sure anyone looking after the kids is fully alert and not drinking alcohol.

Building water confidence

Each year too many children around the state die from drowning. Children should never be left unsupervised while playing in and around water, even if they know how to swim. This is especially true for children under the age of 5.

"Water awareness" is a term that covers a range of strategies that will help ensure your child stays safe. This includes water familiarisation, checking for and removing water hazards, setting rules around water and discussing water safety with your child. A water hazard could include a fish pond, kiddies pool or even a bucket left full of water.

Many public swimming pools and aquatic centres offer water familiarisation classes and water survival techniques. It's a good idea for all children to learn these techniques.

At home you can use bath time to develop water awareness by letting your baby or child feel, experience and play with water.

Water safety at home

Young children can drown in very small amounts of water so don’t leave water in eskies, buckets, baths or toddler pools.

Know where your child is and keep doors and gates locked if there are water tanks, drains, fish ponds or fountains where you live.

Never leave children under 5 years of age or children of any age that have a disability alone in the bath or in the supervision of older children.

Stay safe at the beach

If you live near the beach, or are visiting the beach on holidays, make sure you follow these safety tips from Surf Life Saving Australia

• Find the flags and swim between them – they mark the safest place to swim at the beach
• Look at the safety signs – they help you identify potential dangers and daily conditions at the beach
• Ask a lifesaver for advice – surf conditions can change quickly, so always check before you or your children enter the water
• Get a friend to swim with you – you should never swim alone and you should always supervise your children whenever they are in or near the water
• Stick your hand up for help – if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm and raise your arm to signal for assistance. Don’t try to swim against a current or rip, but float with it.

Farm safety

Did you know 5 to 6 children drown each year in farm dams and other bodies of water? Most of these children are aged below 5, and one third are visitors to the farm.

Having a securely fenced house yard or a designated safe play area with child resistant gates and latches is the best way to prevent farm tragedies. This will help stop unsupervised access to farm hazards, such as dams and other dangers.

If children are going to swim in dams, creeks, rivers or lakes, make sure an adult is always supervising them, just like with a pool.

It's important to familiarise yourself with any of these waterways because, unlike the pool, conditions are very changeable.

The murkiness of natural waterways also means that once submerged, a child can be out of sight immediately. Always supervise children from within an ‘arms length’ of where they are swimming or playing in the water.

In NSW, all pools and spas must have a compliant safety barrier (Public Health Regulation 2012). 

Swimming pools

• Swimming pools provide hours of fun for the whole family so long as a few simple safety rules are followed:
• children should never be left unsupervised and children under 5 should always have an adult swimming within arm’s reach of them
• nominate a designated ‘child supervisor’ during parties or large gatherings to make sure children are supervised at all times
• have some rules about locking gates, waiting for a grown up, no running or diving and no rough play
• make sure the pool fencing and gate meet safety standards. This includes having a self closing gate
• learn CPR or update CPR skills annually and make sure young children learn to swim. Water confidence prevents drownings
• always make sure the pool gate is firmly shut.

Pool fencing

• The Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires swimming pools to be surrounded on all sides by a fence and also to have a child-resistant gate, which should be kept closed at all times. The Act defines a swimming pool as any excavation, structure or vessel that is capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 30 centimetres. This includes spa baths and portable/inflatable pools.
• Pool owners are required by law to conduct a self-assessment of the safety of their pool and to register their pool with the NSW Swimming Pool Register. In addition, a pool compliance certificate must be obtained from the local council. This is valid for 3 years.

Useful links

• Pool inspection self-assessment checklists
• Pool Inspection
• Be Pool Safe

Useful links:

• Sun safety in schools
• Sun protection Cancer Counil NSW

Children aged 0 to 7 years must travel in a safely fastened child restraints. The right car seat or booster seat for your child depends on how old and how big he is:

Rearward facing (child faces the rear of the car) - use from birth and up to 6 months, with a built-in 5 or 6 point harness. Type A in the Australian Standard.

Forward facing (child faces the front of the car) - use when the child has outgrown the rear facing restraint up until at least 4 years of age, with a built-in 5 or 6 point harness. Type B in the Australian Standard.

Note: Forward facing restraints, Type B, fits most children up to at least 4 years of age. However, a new forward-facing restraint with an inbuilt harness, Type G, can be used up to approximately 8 years of age.

Booster seat - for children who have outgrown their forward facing restraint up to at least 8-10 years of age, to position the lap and sash belts safely. Type E, F in the Australian Standard.

Note: Booster cushions are boosters without the back and side wings that protect the child's head. They are being phased out, except for those built into cars.

Lap sash seatbelt - a seatbelt that has one part that goes across the lap and another that goes over the shoulder. It's recommended that children move to a lap sash belt only when they've outgrown the full booster seat or when their eyes are higher than the back of the full booster seat. A good adult seat belt fit can be achieved when a child is approximately 145 centimetres tall.

If your child is too small for the restraint specified for their age, they should be kept in their current restraint until it's safe to move to the next level.

Remember: it’s illegal and unsafe to carry your child on your lap in a car, even if you’re wearing a seatbelt.  AND In NSW, it’s illegal to smoke in a car with a child or young person present, or to leave a child unattended in a car.

Extra safety tips

In addition to using the appropriate car seat, you should also:

• ensure your child always keeps arms, legs and head inside the car, whether it’s moving or parked
• check that childproof door locks are on so your child cannot open the car doors
• keep loose items in the glove box or the boot as they can fly about in a crash and increase the risk of injury
• provide plenty of safe distractions for your child such as music, little toys or books to keep him entertained so you can concentrate and drive safely
• always try to get your child in and out of the car on the kerbside, away from traffic.

Key resources:

Child car seat rules

It may be easy for even the most loving and well meaning parent or carer to think, “I’ll just be a few minutes”, and leave the kids in the car with the window down a bit. But even this has serious health risks for the children.

Shopping and running errands with children can be frustrating. In the case of babies and younger children, there can be added exasperation when you realise that your child has fallen asleep, just as you get to your destination and find that elusive car parking space.

Few people are aware of how little time it takes for the inside of a car to reach dangerously high temperatures, even with the window slightly open:

• On a typical Australian summer day, the temperature inside a parked car can be as much as 30 to 40 degrees hotter than the outside temperature. So, on a 30-degree day the temperature inside the car could be as high as 70 degrees Celsius.
• 75% of temperature rise occurs within 5 minutes of closing the car and leaving it.
• Having the windows down 5 centimetres causes only a slight temperature drop, for example, from 78 degrees in a closed car to 70 degrees in a car with the windows down 5 centimetres.
• The temperature inside the car begins to rise as does the humidity, while the airflow decreases.

As the temperature rises, children begin to develop heat stress (hyperthermia) and also to dehydrate. Young children are more sensitive to heat than older children or adults and are at greater risk of heatstroke. The younger the child, the faster the onset of heatstroke and dehydration. Hyperthermia, dehydration and asphyxia can all lead to death.

Remember: leaving a child or young person in a motor vehicle without proper supervision is not only dangerous but also illegal.

Roads and Waterways – Transport for NSW 
13 22 13 
roads-waterways.transport.nsw.gov.au 

Child Car Seats 
childcarseats.com.au 

Authorised Restraint Fitting Stations and safety rules 
Search for ‘Road safety’ at roads-waterways.nsw.gov.au 

Kidsafe NSW 
(02) 9845 0890 
kidsafensw.org

The home is the most common place for children to be injured. Electrical sockets, poisons, furniture, blind cords and water can all become potential hazards - often quite suddenly.

Inquisitive and adventurous young children don't have a full understanding of the consequences of their actions. Luckily most injuries are predictable and preventable through supervision and by taking some simple safety precautions.

Falls

Falls are the major cause of toddler injury. Here are some tips to prevent your child from getting injured:

• pad sharp corners of furniture or round them off
• use barrier gates or lock doors to stop your child going into dangerous places
• don’t use bunk beds with toddlers
• use straps in the high chair and pusher
• don’t leave young children alone on change tables, high chairs and other furniture
• teach your toddlers how to climb down as they are learning to climb up.

Burns and scalds

Children under 4-years-old but especially those aged between 1 and 2, are most at risk of burns and scalds due to their increased mobility and natural curiosity.

Safety steps to prevent burns and scalds include:

• keep hot things well back from the edge of tables
• turn saucepan handles away from the edge of the stove and use a stove guard
• use placemats instead of tablecloths
• have short or curly electric cords that don’t hang over the side of benches
• remember that many toddlers can light matches and lighters and unscrew the globes of the Christmas tree lights
• to prevent scalding, install a tempering valve that delivers hot water to your bathroom at 50° C
• always run cold water into the bath first before turning on the hot water
• use fireguards for open fires and radiators
• install an Earth Leakage Circuit Breaker in your fuse box.

Poisoning

Toddlers explore everywhere they can reach and put things into their mouths. They cannot understand poison signs.

Common products that can be poisonous to your child include prescription medicines, cough and cold preparations, paracetamol, oral contraceptives and topical antiseptics. Other risks include products for cleaning, and gardening as well as insecticides, perfumes, paint, plants and insects.

Poisoning can occur through swallowing, skin contact, inhalation or eye contact.

Here are some tips to prevent your child being poisoned:

• keep kitchen and laundry detergents out of reach. They are best kept in a locked cupboard. Dishwasher powder is particularly dangerous
• use a child proof medicine cupboard for all medicines (including oral contraceptives) that is at least 1.5 metres above ground level
• lock garden products away
• keep poisons in their original, labelled containers
• never put poisons into food or drink containers
• check that the plants in your garden are not poisonous.

In an emergency call the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126.

Choking

Babies love to put everything in their mouths, but even when your child is older some small objects should be kept out of reach, including coins, magnets and button batteries. Foods like peanuts, bones, raw carrot and apple are the main cause of choking in young children.

• check there are no small objects or coins lying around
• don’t give your child hard pieces of food to chew such as raw carrot - give cooked or grated vegetables
• toddlers should sit still when eating and you should stay with them until they finish eating
• never give toddlers peanuts or other nuts
• don’t force your children to eat anything they don’t want
• tie plastic bags with a knot in the middle so that they cannot be put over your child’s head
• cords or ribbons on toys, dummies and clothing should be short so they can’t choke your child
• cords on curtains and blinds need to be short or out of reach
• replace dummies before they are worn
• some antique cots are not safe for young children.

Drowning

Most children who drown are under 4-years-old. Drowning happens very quickly and quietly. Young children can drown in only a few centimetres of water. Teaching your toddler to swim will not prevent drowning.

• stay with your children whenever they are near or in water, such as the bath, paddle pool or buckets
• keep a lid on nappy buckets and keep them out of reach
• water can collect in all sorts of things after rain, make sure you empty them
• always ensure that the paddle pool is emptied after use
• all other pools should be fenced, with a self-closing and locking gate.

Play

Toys are fun, and important for children’s development but badly made or age inappropriate toys can cause injuries. Always select sturdy, Australian standards.

Parents should always:

• check toys and equipment regularly for sharp edges, splinters and loose parts
• ensure that the surface under climbing frames and swings is soft
• toys for young children should not have small loose parts that can be broken off and swallowed
• store toys for play at a low level so the children can reach them easily without the need to climb
• when a toy is labelled “not suitable for children under 3” it means there are small parts that may be a choking hazard
• regularly check the condition of toys and throw out any you think are no longer safe
• baby walkers often cause injuries and should not be used.

Adapted from: Parenting SA, Government of South Australia 1996-1999.

Parents well know that playing outside is great fun for children. Being naturally curious, they'll take every opportunity to learn and experience their environment but that can mean they're out of sight very quickly.

When outside the house, children need to be accompanied and closely supervised by a parent or adult carer to keep them safe.

Parks and playground safety

These simple safety measures will help your child stay safe and avoid injuries in parks and playgrounds:

• familiarise yourself with neighbourhood parks and playgrounds and always check equipment and surfacing to make sure they're in good condition before allowing children to play
• look for broken or vandalised equipment or parts. Keep an eye out for broken glass that poses a hazard for bare feet and kids in sandals
• talk with your child about the safest route walking to and from the park
• check that they know safe places to cross the road plus safe road crossing procedures, such as holding the hand of a trusted adult.

On the street

Being out-and-about in traffic is dangerous for children because their short stature makes it difficult for drivers to see them – particularly in driveways where vehicles may be reversing. Children don't have the experience to estimate the speed and distance of moving vehicles.

• supervise young pedestrians and ensure they are holding the hand of an adult on the footpath, in the car park and when crossing the road (until the're at least 10-years-old)
• always cross the roads using a pedestrian crossing when available or at the lights
• remind your child that cars don’t always stop, even when they should

Every time you cross the road with your child, you can go through the following procedure:

• STOP one step back from the edge of the kerb
• LOOK for traffic by turning your head to the right, then the left and back to the right again
• LISTEN for approaching traffic
• THINK about whether it's completely safe to cross. Then walk across the road turning your head both right and left to look and listen for approaching traffic as you go.

Road safety for smaller wheels

Teach children that wearing a helmet when cycling, riding or skating should be as automatic as wearing a seat belt in the car. They should also wear other appropriate safety gear such as knee and elbow pads.

Riding bikes or trikes in driveways can be dangerous. As well as the risk of being hit by a car, when they’re learning, children can accidentally roll onto the road into passing traffic. Until they are at least 10-years-old children should ride their bikes or wheeled toys in a fenced area away from vehicles, roads or traffic.

Children up to 12-years-old and adults accompanying them may cycle on the footpath, unless signs indicate otherwise.

If a child or young person in your care wants a mobile phone, talk to your caseworker first to make sure there are no safety concerns around contact that may prevent them from having one. 

If there aren’t any safety concerns, consider if you think they’re old enough and responsible enough to have a mobile phone. 

Many kids are given a phone when they start to practise responsibility and independence by getting themselves to and from school. This commonly happens towards the end of primary school or the beginning of high school. 

Talk about looking after the phone (always keep the case on!) and what will happen if the phone is lost or the screen smashed. If you decide to give the child or young person a phone, the cost should be covered by the Care Allowance. 

It’s important to have a conversation about the ongoing costs of phone calls, data use, online shopping, and in-app purchases. One way to limit the amount of money spent on calls and data is to get pre-paid phone cards for kids.

Many children and young people use the internet to help with homework, listen to music, play games and chat with friends. Kids are vulnerable to many of the risks of using the internet. These include: 

• meeting predatory adults online, posing as potential friends
• giving out personal information, such as phone numbers or photos
• visiting sites showing pornography, racism or depictions of violence
• staying up too late playing games and contacting friends
• spending too much time online, compromising 'real world' friendships. 

In the early years, it’s appropriate to be very actively involved when your child is online: talk about how to use the internet safely, insist that devices are used in public areas of the house, and perhaps consider using settings or software that limit what your child can do online. 

As your child gets older, you can pull back a bit. Keep up the conversations about what they’re doing online, but don’t undermine your older teen’s privacy by demanding passwords, logging on to their devices or using software to track their activity unless you have real concerns for their safety. 

It’s better to make it clear what your values and expectations are, and ensure that your teen knows they can always come to you with questions or problems around what they encounter online

Key resources:

• Think U Know - Information about cyber-safety and preventing child exploitation for carers and kids
• Technology4LearningSchools

• Work with them, not against them. Let them have a say in what they enjoy watching or playing, but make it clear that you’re responsible for choosing what’s safe and appropriate. This helps them feel heard without feeling like they’re “in charge.”
• Be upfront about why some things aren’t OK. Gently explain that certain shows, games or online content can be scary, confusing, or not meant for kids. When they understand why a limit is there, it feels fairer and less like punishment.
• Avoid shows or apps with lots of swearing, violence or sexual content. Kids and teens in care can be especially sensitive to intense or unsafe themes.
• Help them learn to think critically. Explain that ads are designed to make people want things they don’t always need — and that choosing for themselves is a powerful skill.
• Keep mealtimes screen-free. Eating together without TV or devices helps build connection and calm.
• Choose age-appropriate content. Pick shows, games or apps that match their age and developmental stage. Avoid leaving TVs or devices on in the background — constant noise can make it harder to relax or concentrate.
• Protect time for fun, imagination and rest. Switching off screens creates room for play, talking, creativity, exploring outdoors, and simply being together.

Just breathe… 

There are some situations you just need to walk away from 

and then, when things are calmer, 

open up the dialogue again. 

 

Vikki, carer, Southern Highland

Starting 10 December 2025, the law in Australia says that children under 16 years old cannot hold accounts on many social media platforms.

This change is designed to keep children safer online by giving them time to grow, learn and engage in more real-life connections before being exposed to the risks of social media. 

Supporting kids as they navigate changes to social media access Webinar

This webinar will help carers support kids through the social media ban. It provides strategies to build safety and critical thinking skills that are vital to help kids navigate the online world.

Further resources:

• ESafety Commissioner - Social media age restrictions hub
• Parent Line - social media age limit: Practical tips for parents navigating the transition
• headspace - Information for family about the social media ban
• ReachOut - Dealing with change from the social media ban (for young people)
• Kids Helpline - The under 16s social media ban: the good, the bad and your brain.  A guide for teens.

Sexting is using the internet to send highly suggestive or sexually explicit images. It’s a growing trend with kids and a common way to flirt among some teenagers. However, it can cause public humiliation and in some cases is illegal.

Warn the young person about the potential risks of sexting and sexual predators. Give them clear rules about what they can and can’t do with their mobile phone and remind them to think before they act. Explain that they have no control over who sees their photos, where they appear or how they’re used after they have been sent. 

Make sure they understand that sexting involving anyone under the age of 18 is a crime. That means it’s not okay for anyone under 18 to send, receive or share a nude or sexual image, or to ask someone to take an image of that kind. If your child or young person receives an image, they should delete it and let the sener know they don't want to receive any more.

Sexting is also a crime when it is used to harass someone. At any age, it is wrong to take a naked, revealing or sexual image of someone without their permission, for example, when they’re in the shower or getting changed. It is also wrong to use sexting to make someone feel humiliated or threatened.

Anyone found engaging in illegal sexting activity faces serious penalties, including being listed on the sex offender register.

If you believe the child or teen in your care has had inappropriate images taken, or that they are being harassed, contact your caseworker and make a report to the police.

Key resources:

• Digital reputation
• Sexting
• Staying safe online

• Explain the changes to the child or young person in a calm way: “Because you’re under 16, this means you won’t be able to keep or start an account on these apps right now—it’s about helping you stay safe and have room to grow.”
• Help them find other ways to stay connected: phone calls, video chats with trusted people, offline hobbies and joining groups that meet in person (sports, culture, art).
• Create a family screen-plan: when screens are OK, when they’re off, what devices we use and in what rooms.
• Monitor how they use devices and talk about what they’re doing online—a safe, open conversation is better than a hidden screen world.
• If they are worried, anxious, feeling left out or pressured because of social media changes, encourage talking with you, a caseworker, teacher or counsellor.
• Remind them: This isn’t a punishment or “you did something wrong”—it’s about safety, wellbeing and helping them build strong connections in real life.

We strongly recommend having open conversations with your caseworker to help navigate this space and best support the children/young people in your care.

Resources to help parents & carers keep children safe online:

• Online safety book for parents and carers
• Online safety book for under 5s
• eSafety Parents advice and resources
• Webinars for parents and carers.

Resources to help with reporting online harms:

• ‘What to do if something bad happens online’ is a flowchart listing the reporting options available for online harm, with links to both eSafety and the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
• The eSafety Guide is where you can learn about the latest games, apps and social media, including how to protect your information and report harmful content.  
  For full details and guidance: eSafety Commissioner – Social media age restrictions page. ESafety Commissioner FAQs.

Turning off the screens creates space for play, talking, creativity, exploring the outdooes and having fun with you.

• Never smoke or vape in the same room or car as a child.
• If you smoke, consider quitting or using smoke-free areas outside the home.
• Wash hands and change clothes after smoking to reduce exposure to smoke residue

Remember: Keeping children safe from smoke is one of the simplest ways to protect their health, now and in the future.

• Quitline: 13 78 48
• Your GP and local health services can provide free advice, programs, and support to quit.

The combination of summer, Christmas and the New Year provide plenty of opportunities to unwind and visit friends and relatives.

Keep watch on alcoholic drinks and make sure they are not left where small hands can reach them. Similarly, a bowl of nuts or an ashtray left on a coffee table can pose a major choking hazard for a young child. Cigarettes and butts can also poison children and cigarette lighters should not be left around where children can access to them either.

If visiting someone else’s home, be mindful that they may not have child proofed danger areas such as kitchens and bathrooms or garden areas containing a fish pond or a significant drop off the side of a rockery or hill.

Even bedrooms can be dangerous if pills, medications or small coins are left by the bedside.

Small Christmas decorations are particularly fascinating for young children. Make sure they are kept out of reach as they may pose choking hazards.

Christmas trees can also tip over when tugged and Christmas lights can pose an electrical hazard for young, inquisitive children.

Each year NSW Fair Trading identifies new toys that have the potential to harm young children. Age labelling such as ‘not suitable for children under 3’ is not an indicator of skill, but means there are small parts that could be swallowed. Anything smaller than a 20 cent piece can choke a child under 3 years old.

• projectile toys can be dangerous, particularly for young children
• toy chests and boxes should be designed not to close on top of children, or should have a removable lid
• be mindful of ventilation when buying children's equipment such as tents and masks
• check toys for sharp edges or rough surfaces as they can cause cuts or splinters
• toys on wheels may roll onto a road or out of a safe area. They should only be used in a fenced area with a gate.

The content on this page was taken from: Child safety - school holiday parent kit (PDF, 723.7 KB).

Under the National Immunisation Program (NIP), vaccinations are provided free to infants, children, adolescents, and adults who have, or are eligible for, a Medicare card. These vaccines help protect against serious illnesses and prevent life-threatening complications.

Here’s what carers should know

• Free vaccines through the NIP can be accessed at your local GP, Aboriginal Medical Service or community clinic.
• A full schedule of recommended vaccines is available at the Australian government’s site.
• If you want a child’s immunisation history, you can get a copy by:
  • Logging into your Medicare-online account
  • Visiting the Medicare website and requesting an “Immunisation History Statement”
  • Calling the Australian Immunisation Register on 1800 653 809

Why this matters

Children in out-of-home care often need every available protection—good immunisation is part of helping them stay strong in body, mind and community. For Aboriginal children, extra vaccine protection is available because of higher risk of some diseases.

Useful links

• Immunisation for children
• Immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• NSW Health immunisation programs

Getting a flu vaccine is quick, easy and recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over.

Your yearly flu vaccine offers the best protection from getting really sick and is free for:

• children aged 6 months to under 5 years
• pregnant women
• Aboriginal people aged 6 months and over
• anyone aged 65+
• people with serious health conditions

Book your flu vaccine at your GP, pharmacy, or Aboriginal Medical Service. Everyone aged 2 years or over can get vaccinated at a pharmacy. Parents or carers with children aged 6 months to under 2 years old should see their GP for their flu vaccine.

See NSW Health Influenza site for more information including an easy read flu fact sheet