Animal Safety (pets and other animals)
Dogs
There are 63% of households that own a pet and dogs are one of the most common pets within a household, but when you have a pet you need to know about the potential risks and how to protect yourself and children.
How to avoid your children being bitten
When your children are around the household pet or the neighbors dog they must always be supervised by an adult. When a child wishes to pat the dog they must pat the dog softly and calmly. You must teach children to never pet a dog if they are eating, sleeping, or if they become aggravated and that they should back away and leave the dog alone.
There are 63% of households that own a pet and dogs are one of the most common pets within a household, but when you have a pet you need to know about the potential risks and how to protect yourself and children.
How to avoid your children being bitten
When your children are around the household pet or the neighbors dog they must always be supervised by an adult. When a child wishes to pat the dog they must pat the dog softly and calmly. You must teach children to never pet a dog if they are eating, sleeping, or if they become aggravated and that they should back away and leave the dog alone.
What to do if a dog bites
Although dog bites aren’t to common within households, it is more common outside when young children pet strange dogs. If a dog was to bight your child, try to keep your child calm, if the skin has been broken run cold water over bitten area then apply disinfectant. Go and visit your doctor as soon as possible. If some flesh has been bitten off, call an ambulance immediately. While waiting for the ambulance use a sterile cloth apply firm pressure to the wound until the ambulance arrives. If your child is pale or drowsy, lie them down and raise their legs. Most importantly do not give your children food or water
The Dog Law of 1976 states that; All dogs must be microchipped, if the dog has reached 3 months of age is considered dangerous and is not microchipped it can result in a fine of $10,000 with a minimum of $500. There are local laws in each state on how many dogs you are allowed
Although dog bites aren’t to common within households, it is more common outside when young children pet strange dogs. If a dog was to bight your child, try to keep your child calm, if the skin has been broken run cold water over bitten area then apply disinfectant. Go and visit your doctor as soon as possible. If some flesh has been bitten off, call an ambulance immediately. While waiting for the ambulance use a sterile cloth apply firm pressure to the wound until the ambulance arrives. If your child is pale or drowsy, lie them down and raise their legs. Most importantly do not give your children food or water
The Dog Law of 1976 states that; All dogs must be microchipped, if the dog has reached 3 months of age is considered dangerous and is not microchipped it can result in a fine of $10,000 with a minimum of $500. There are local laws in each state on how many dogs you are allowed
Cats
Cats can grow nails that become both long and sharp. These are the main cause of injuries associated with cat injuries. When a scratches you or even bites you, make sure to thoroughly wash and disinfect the puncture wounds.
Cats can grow nails that become both long and sharp. These are the main cause of injuries associated with cat injuries. When a scratches you or even bites you, make sure to thoroughly wash and disinfect the puncture wounds.
Birds
Birds are one of the easiest pets to look after but they can carry very dangerous diseases, one being psittacosis (parrot fever). So make sure that your children wash their hands both before and after they handle a bird.
Birds are one of the easiest pets to look after but they can carry very dangerous diseases, one being psittacosis (parrot fever). So make sure that your children wash their hands both before and after they handle a bird.
Snakes Snakes is one of the most deadliest animals in the Australian outback. It is important to teach your children about the dangers of snakes and reptiles. When with children try avoid walking through long grass or bush land. If you need to walk thorough bush land or long grass with your children make sure everyone wears safe and protective clothing. This means wearing long pants, closed in shoes and tuck your pants into your socks so that snakes and other animals are unable to get into your clothing. |
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Insects
It is every child’s dream to catch a firefly and put it in a jar, however it is important to tell your children that insects are not toys. If your child wishes to play outside at night then you need to make sure that they always wear a T-Shirt and put some protective spray or cream on them because some insects (for example mosquitoes) are most active at nighttime. If bitten or stung If your child is bitten or stung keep them as still and as calm as possible. Try to remove the sting immediately using a fingernail or the blunt edge of a knife in a flicking motion. Do not squeeze or dig into the skin for this could make the sting harder to get out. Then place ice on the stung area. If pain and swelling persist, take the child to a doctor and seek medical advice. |
How to reduce the risk
You can reduce the risk of getting stung by avoiding to walk in areas with long grass or bush land, wearing protective clothing (for example closed in shoes and long pants tucked into socks), keeping children away from insects and their nests and lastly if your child is known to be allergic to an insect, the child should always wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant, and have and anaphylaxis management plan.
You can reduce the risk of getting stung by avoiding to walk in areas with long grass or bush land, wearing protective clothing (for example closed in shoes and long pants tucked into socks), keeping children away from insects and their nests and lastly if your child is known to be allergic to an insect, the child should always wear a medical alert bracelet or pendant, and have and anaphylaxis management plan.
Important numbers
- In an emergency, dial triple zero (000) for an ambulance - Your doctor - Safety Centre, Royal Children’s Hospital Tel. (03) 9345 5085 - Petcare Information and Advisory Service for help in choosing a pet that suits your situation. - Australian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne Tel. 1300 760 451 - Anaphylaxis Australia Tel. 1300 728 000 - Victorian Poisons Information Centre Tel. 13 11 26 - 24/7 - for advice about poisonings, suspected poisonings, bites and stings, mistakes with medicines and poisoning prevention advice. |
Remember
- While animals can be fun, they can also be dangerous.
- Always supervise your child around any animal.
- Teach your children to play safely with pets, and to avoid or respond to danger signs.
- Know what to do in case of an emergency.
- While animals can be fun, they can also be dangerous.
- Always supervise your child around any animal.
- Teach your children to play safely with pets, and to avoid or respond to danger signs.
- Know what to do in case of an emergency.