STREET SMART 58

Learn more about Train Safety

TRAIN SAFETY

HERE’S SOME ADVICE THAT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE:

• Stop, look, listen and think at level crossings. • Obey the safety signs at every railway crossing and cross at marked crossings only. • Stay on the path. Listen and look in both directions for approaching trains. • If the red lights are flashing or the gate is closed, a train is coming so keep clear of the tracks. • Never jump fences, gates or barriers. This is extremely dangerous and it is very likely the oncoming train is close to the crossing. • If a train is coming, wait for it to pass and then stop, look and listen again before crossing as another train may be approaching. • You might not hear a train, especially when using your earphones or mobile phone. Never assume a

train is a long way off. • Don’t ride bicycles, skateboards, skates or rollerblades across any pedestrian crossing. • Never assume that it is safe to cross when the lights are still flashing. Even if a train has passed, there may be another train coming in the other direction. Only enter the crossing when the lights have stopped flashing or the gate has opened.

It takes a lot to stop an eight-carriage train travelling at 100kmh. The braking distance for a train is approximately five football fields (500m).

Information reproduced with permission of Transport Sydney Trains – www.sydneytrains.info

Learn more about Railway Crossing Safety

RAIL CROSSING SAFETY

Always cross train tracks using a footbridge or underpass, or at designated pedestrian railway crossings. Crossing anywhere else is illegal and extremely dangerous. • Ensure that you are not distracted by your mobile phone and remove headphones. • Obey the safety signs at every railway crossing and cross at marked crossings only. • Stay on the path. Listen and look in both directions for approaching trains. • If the red lights are flashing or the gate is closed, a train is coming so keep clear of the tracks. • Never jump fences, gates or barriers. This is extremely dangerous and it is very likely the oncoming train is close to the crossing. • If a train is coming, wait for it to pass and then stop,

look and listen again before crossing as another train may be approaching. • You might not hear a train, especially when using your earphones or mobile phone. Never assume a train is a long way off. • Don’t ride bicycles, skateboards, skates or rollerblades across any pedestrian crossing. • Never assume that it is safe to cross when the lights are still flashing. Even if a train has passed, there may be another train coming in the other direction.

Only enter the crossing when the lights have stopped flashing or the gate has opened.

For more information, visit transportnsw.info/ travel-info/using-public-transport/accessible-travel/ access-to-trains/level-crossing-safety

R A I L W A Y C R O S S I N G

STOP

RAIL

CROSSING

R A I L 2 W A Y C R O S S I N G

TRACKS

STOP

ON RED SIGNAL R A I L W A Y C R O S S I N G

Left Sign: Railway crossing with traffic lights ahead. Centre & Right Signs: Railway crossing signs.

TRACKS R A I L 2 W A Y C R O S S I N G

Left Sign: Stop before crossing. Centre Sign: Stop if the red lights are flashing. Right Sign: Give way at the crossing, be prepared to stop.

OUTDOOR SAFETY

Learn more about Sun Safety

SUN SAFETY

Cancer Council NSW recommends protecting your skin in five ways: 1. SLIP – on clothing that covers your arms and legs 2. SLOP – on 50+ or higher, broadspectrum sunscreen 3. SLAP – on a broad brimmed bucket or legionnaire hat 4. SEEK – shade 5. SLIDE – on wrap-around sunglasses with Australian Standard AS/NZS 1067:2003 and have an eye protection factor of (EPF) of 10.

CLOTHING (SLIP) Protective clothing, such as long-sleeved shirts and loose clothing with a close weave can prevent skin damage from the sun. Some clothing is labelled with information about its ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). UPF-40 or above offers very high protection and UPF-15 and above offers good protection.

SUNSCREEN (SLOP) Broad spectrum sunscreen means it protects you from both types of radiation (UVA and UVB).4 The higher the sun protection factor (SPF) number, the better it protects you against sunburn. Most people don’t use enough sunscreen, meaning they don’t get enough protection.2 Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going in the sun and then reapplied every two hours.

HATS (SLAP) Choose a hat that is broad-brimmed or with a flap at the front and back (legionnaire style) so that your child’s face, ears and neck are protected. A hat made of close-weave fabric will reduce the amount of light that gets through. Baseball caps and sun visors are not recommended as they do not provide enough protection.

SHADE (SEEK) Shade is more ideal than full sun, however sunburn can still occur in partial shade or when cloudy.

SUNGLASSES (SLIDE) Sunglasses can protect your child’s eyes from short and long term damage. Sunglasses designed to wrap around the eyes do this well. Always purchase sunglasses which meet the Australian Standard (AS/ NZS 1067:2003). Sunglasses with an eye protection factor (EPF) value of 9 or 10 protect from almost all UVR.5 Toy sunglasses are not covered by the Standard and should not be used for sun protection.

Sunglasses or goggles at the snow will also help to reduce exposure from glare and reflected UVR. Remember: • A suntan is not healthy. • More care should be taken when your child is out in the sun near highly reflective surfaces such as snow or water. • Babies and children are at greater risk of heat stress than adults. • Never leave a baby or child alone in a car. If you need to leave, always take your child with you. • Remember to slip, slop, slap, seek and slide

Clothing (slip) • Encourage your children to wear clothing that covers as much skin as possible.

Sunscreen (slop) • Broad-spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with a high SPF (50) should always be applied to children when playing outdoors. Apply generously and frequently (at least every two hours), particularly after swimming (always follow directions on sunscreen bottles).

Hats (slap) • Ensure your child always wears a hat when outdoors which covers their face, ears and neck.

Shade (seek) • Limit your children’s exposure to UVR. Seek shade between 11am and 3pm (daylight saving time) when UV levels are at their highest. • Children under 12 months of age should not be exposed to direct sunlight.6 • When travelling in a car with your baby, make sure they are shaded.

The sunlight which passes through the car window can burn your child’s skin.

Sunglasses (slide) Ensure your child wears sunglasses that meet the Australian Standards.

Water and dehydration • Active children should be encouraged to drink regularly to prevent thirstiness. Regular drink breaks during activity are important. • Vigorous physical activity should be avoided in hot weather. • Seek urgent medical assistance if your child shows any signs of heat stroke. • Extra care needs to be taken with sick children or babies in hot weather. Extra fluids, such as breast milk or water, should be given to prevent the risk of dehydration.

Learn more about Beach Safety

BEACH SAFETY

Millions of people visit at least one of Australia’s beautiful beaches every year. These famous beaches are not only enjoyed by lucky Australians but also visitors from all over the world – some who come for a visit, and others who choose to make Australia their home.

Although Australian beaches may look amazing, they can be unpredictable and hide some dangers that every visitor should be aware of. Here you will find some very helpful info and advice from our Lifeguards on beach safety, to ensure you enjoy your visit to the beach and stay safe!

Always swim between the red and yellow flags When you see red and yellow flags on a beach, it indicates that there is currently a lifesaving service operating on that beach. The lifeguards have chosen a section of the beach that is best for swimming and they will closely supervise this area. Lifeguards pay more attention to the area between the red and yellow flags than any other part of the beach.

Read the safety signs Before you go on to the beach be sure to read the safety signs. This will ensure you are aware of any warnings or dangers on the beach. You can also find other helpful information to make your day at the beach more enjoyable. You might also find single signs placed on the beach to highlight specific warnings. Ask a lifeguard for safety advice Lifeguards are highly trained and very knowledgeable about beach safety and conditions. When you arrive at the beach look for and identify the lifeguards. Feel free to ask them about the day’s conditions, as well any additional beach safety advice they might have for that specific beach – because every beach is different.

Swim with a friend Not only is swimming with a friend (or family member) a fun way to enjoy the beach, it is also very sensible. While you are swimming together you can keep an eye out for each other, and if further assistance is required, one person could call or go for help. If everyone swimming together knows their own limits it is a good idea to share this with those around you so you can all stay within everyone’s comfortable limits.

If you need help, stay calm and attract attention Even the most careful people can find themselves out of their limits in the water. If you are not feeling comfortable in the water and you require a lifeguard’s assistance to get back to shore, stay calm, raise your arm in the air and wave it from side to side. This will attract the attention of a lifeguard who will be able to come to your assistance. You should conserve your energy by floating on your back and staying calm. This will ensure you have the energy to remain afloat until further aid arrives.

RIP CURRENTS

Rips are the number one hazard on Australian beaches. The best way to avoid a rip is to swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags.

Rip currents are strong currents of water flowing away from shore through the surf zone. They are a strong force and on any given day, there are about 17,000 rips at beaches around Australia.

The Facts about Rip Currents There are many myths about the ocean. Many people think it’s just tourists and poor swimmers who get caught in rips currents. In fact, it’s young men aged 15-39 years who are most likely to die in rips. Rips are the number one hazard on Australian beaches. The best way to avoid a rip is to swim at a patrolled beach between the red and yellow flags.

How to Spot a Rip Current Rips are complex, can quickly change shape and location, and at times, are difficult to see. The things to look for are; • Deeper, dark-coloured water. • Fewer breaking waves. • A rippled surface surrounded by smooth waters. • Anything floating out to sea or foamy, discoloured, sandy, water flowing out beyond the waves.

Rips don’t always show all of these signs at once. How to Survive a Rip Current • Relax – stay calm and float to conserve your energy. • Raise – raise your arm and attract attention from lifeguards or lifesavers. • Rescue – the lifeguards or lifesavers will be on their way to help you. • While floating, rip currents may flow in a circular pattern and return you to an adjacent sandbar • You may escape the rip current by swimming parallel to the beach, towards the breaking waves. • Reassess your situation. If what you’re doing isn’t working, try one of the other options until you’re rescued or return to shore.

Watch The Facts about Rip Currents video

Learn How to Spot a Rip

Learn How to Survive a Rip

Learn more about how to beat the heat

Learn more about sun safety and heat stroke

Download the sun safety and heat stroke fact sheet

SUN SAFETY AND HEAT STROKE

What is sun safety and heat stroke? Enjoying the sun during outdoor activities is a favourite pastime for many people living in Australia. Too much sun, however, has been shown to cause skin damage and skin cancer. Sun safety practices can protect you and your children from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce the likelihood of long term harm.

How may a child be affected? Young children produce more body heat, sweat less and their temperature rises at a faster rate, putting them at a greater risk of heat related illness.

Heat Exhaustion • Very hot and extreme heat conditions can lead to heat exhaustion in children. Signs of heat exhaustion are weakness, nausea and/or giddiness, pale appearance and breathlessness. Heat exhaustion is a serious condition that can develop into heat stroke.

Signs and symptoms • Looking unwell and more irritable than usual • Pale and clammy skin • Sleepy and floppy • Fewer wet nappies than usual • Dark urine (normal is light straw colour) • Refusing to drink • Intense thirst (but as the baby gets weaker, he/she may drink less) • Dry skin, mouth and eyes (no tears when crying)

What to do – first aid • If you think your young child is suffering from heat exhaustion, seek medical advice. • Move to a cool area and remove all extra clothes • Try to give your child drinks (unless unconscious and not able to swallow) • An older child with heat exhaustion should be offered water or diluted fruit juice (1 part juice in 4 parts water) • Cover your child with cool damp cloths or sponge he/she down with water Heat Stroke • Heat stroke occurs when a child’s body temperature rises too high, too quickly. A child’s normal body temperature ranges between 36.50°C and 37.50°C.

When a child suffers from heat stroke, their temperature can rise to 40.50°C or higher. Humid weather and dehydration can make it difficult for the child to sweat and cool themselves down enough to maintain a healthy temperature. If severe enough, it can cause damage to the body organs and be fatal. • Temperatures inside a car can reach over 700°C, even on a cool day. The car increases in temperature the most within the first five minutes of parking a car.

Leaving the windows down only provides a small drop in temperature. As a result children left in cars are at a very high risk of heat stroke.

Signs and symptoms All the signs of heat exhaustion as above plus: • Rising body temperature • Red, hot and dry skin • Rapid breathing • Vomiting • Confusion • Coma (not responding when touched or called)

What to do – first aid Immediately call 000 and ask for an ambulance • Move to a cool area and remove all extra clothes • If the baby or child is conscious and able to drink, give small sips of cool fluids • Bring their temperature down using any method available (sponging with cool water, cool bath, or covering with cool damp cloths) • If unconscious, lay the child on their side (recovery position) and check they can breathe properly.

Support their head with your hand • Perform CPR if needed

For more information visit:

• https://kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/sun-safetyand-heat-stroke • https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/ beattheheat/Pages/babies-children-hot-weather.aspx

BOATING SAFETY

It’s important to educate children on how to stay safe when boating. Teaching them safe boating practices including wearing a lifejacket, knowing the safety equipment and how to navigate safely will ensure they are prepared and have an enjoyable time on the water.

When taking your children out on your vessel: • Make sure they have a lifejacket and wear it at all times. • Show them where all the safety equipment is, including how to use items such as the radio, EPIRB and flares in case of an emergency • Teach them about keeping a proper lookout and maintaining a safe speed and distance from other vessels and people in the water. • Educate them about keeping all parts of their body inside the vessel when underway.

WEAR A LIFEJACKET Lifejackets are the most important item of safety equipment on any recreational vessel. Wearing a lifejacket can save your life and it’s recommended that you wear one at all times.

Everyone on board must have access to a lifejacket that is the correct size and in good working order. Everyone must wear a lifejacket: • On vessels up to 4.8m long at night, when boating alone (including with a child aged under 12), and when boating on alpine and open waters. • On Personal Watercraft (PWC) • When being towed by a vessel • On canoes and kayaks at night, when boating alone (including with a child aged under 12), and when

boating on alpine and open waters. Everyone must wear a lifejacket: • on all vessels up to 4.8m long at all times • in open areas of all vessels up to 8m long when the vessel is underway. Children aged 12 years and over must follow the same rules for wearing a lifejacket as adults, although its strongly recommended they wear one at all times.

ARE YOU BOAT READY? As the skipper, it’s your responsibility to keep everyone safe. Take the time to plan for your trip, be prepared and know the conditions and your limits, and use good judgement to predict changes such as the weather while out on the water.

Be aware that the conditions can change while you are out on the water, so ensure that you know the position of children and their movements on board the vessel at all times.

Fore more information on lifejackets and boating safety, contact Transport for NSW on 13 12 36 or visit nsw.gov.au and lifejacketwearit.com.au.

For more information on boating safely with children, visit rms.nsw.gov.au/maritime or call the info line 13 12 36.

Further information on lifejackets can be found at rms.nsw.gov.au/lifejackets or lifejacketwearit.com.au.

Learn more about Wearing a Lifejacket

Good Judgment

Towing

PWC Alcohol

Paddling

Proper Lookout Cold Water

Speed

LifeJackets Weather

Boating Over 65

PETS AND CHILDREN

Things to remember: We’ve long loved dogs for being man’s best friend, but not so well known is that our pets can actually make us physically and mentally healthier. Just the presence of our pets can lift our spirits and help us relax.

Physical health benefits

Research has shown that owning a pet can have a number of physical health benefits • Increased cardiovascular health (lower blood pressure, lower triglycerides and in men, lower cholesterol) • Increased physical activity. Dogs especially help us get out and enjoy the outdoors while getting some regular exercise. They are great motivators and personal trainers, never wanting to miss a training session no matter the weather. • Fewer visits to the doctor • Growing up with a dog (and other pets to a lesser extent) during infancy may help to strengthen the immune system and may reduce the risk of allergies • Children who have pets are less likely to miss days of school due to illness Psychological benefits Research has shown that owning a pet can have a number of psychological benefits • A study of school children showed that pet owners were more popular but also seemed more empathetic. • Those who have pets including children or adolescents have been shown to have higher selfesteem. Teenagers who own pets have a more positive outlook on life and report less loneliness, restlessness, despair and boredom. • Pet owners report less depression and appear to cope with grief, stress and loss better than nonpet owners. • Pets enhance social connectedness and social skills and are great conversation starters! • Pets are also great caregivers. They keep us company when we’re sick or feeling down. They can make us feel safe while we’re home alone and they keep an eye on the house while we’re out.

For more information visit: www.rspca.org.au

OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

Off road motorcycles are 2-wheeled vehicles that require the user to shift their body weight while riding. People do not need a licence to ride them as long as they are not on public roads. Off-road motorcycles are popular for sports and recreation but also farm use as well.

How may a child be injured? Injuries occur in a variety of settings (e.g. at home, on farms, in recreational areas and at Motocross competitions). Children sustain injuries from collisions, rollovers, falls and from jumps. Children may collide with objects and other riders, causing injuries to themselves and others. Loss of control is the most common cause of injury. This is because children aged less than 10 years lack hazard perception and the ability to control speed.

Falls • Falls may result in severe fractures, abdominal, head and chest injuries.

Cuts and bruises • Children may sustain cuts and bruises, particularly when they are not wearing full body protective clothing.

Strangulation • Children may suffer strangulation if riding under a clothesline or fence. This injury occurs during times of poor visibility or if terrain is uneven.

Struck by object • Children may collide with objects and other riders, causing injury to themselves and others. • Children may be injured when the motorcycle tips over and falls on them.

In NSW between 2003 and 2012 there were 13 deaths of children aged 0-17 from off-road motorcycles, otherwise know as “dirt bikes”.

The likelihood of serious injuries rapidly increases when riders start doing jumps. Children injured from jumps suffer more severe injuries.

Is there a Law or an Australian Standard for offroad motorcycles? Riders of motorcycles on NSW roads must be at least 16 years and nine months and obtain a rider licence by completing a training course and knowledge test. However there are no requirements to use motorcycles off-road on private property.

Significant fines apply for riding off-road motorcycles on public land, which includes State Forests and National Parks.

SKATEBOARDS, FOOT SCOOTERS AND ROLLERBLADES

The law

A pedestrian includes “a person in or on a wheeled recreational device or wheeled toy”. This includes rollerblades, a skateboard, scooter, unicycle or similar wheeled device: • Foot scooters, skateboards and rollerblades may be ridden on footpaths unless signs specifically prohibit them, however, riders must keep to the left and give way to other pedestrians • Powered foot scooters cannot be registered and can only be used on private land • On separated bicycle and pedestrian paths, foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders must use the section designated for bicycles, but must keep out of the path of any bicycle • Foot scooters, skateboards and rollerblades can only be used on the road during daylight hours • They cannot be used on roads with a dividing line or median strip or a speed limit greater than 50km/h, or a one-way road with more than one marked lane

Safety advice • On the footpath, riders of foot scooters, skateboards or rollerblades should not threaten pedestrians, especially the elderly – they may need to slow down or dismount in busy areas • To improve safety and enjoyment, foot scooters, skateboards and rollerblades are best ridden in recreational areas designated for their use • Foot scooter, skateboard and rollerblade riders should wear helmets and protective gear such as knee and elbow pads

Learn more about skateboards, foot scooters and rollerblade safety