Safety a burning issue

WORKING TOGETHER: Local fire services, ACC and the Rodney District Council teamed up to make Rodney safer for children. Pictured, from left, ACC injury prevention consultant Katrina van der Wende, Silverdale fire station members Vaughan Mackereth, Josh Darby, Glen Stodart, Gary Lane, and Rodney safer communities team leader Anna Crane.

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Firefighters, the Rodney District Council and ACC have teamed up to make Rodney safer for children for this week's Safety New Zealand Week.

Rodney fire services visited childcare providers around the district to present information packs to children and their parents on home safety.

The pack contains pamphlets on hot water and fire safety, home safety tips, Firewise balloons and stickers, as well as discount vouchers for smoke detectors.

Children under the age of five have the highest incidence of burns of all types, Silverdale station senior officer Vaughan Mackereth says. Between the years 2004 to 2008, an average of 1100 children annually have been admitted to hospitals with burns.

Around half of the patients were between the ages of one and two, who were victims of hot water or hot liquid spillage.

Young skin burns quicker and deeper at a lower temperature than adult skin.

ACC is encouraging people to make one simple change during the week to make their homes safer.

Visit www.homesafety.co.nz for information and a quiz on how you can make your home a safer.

- © Fairfax NZ News