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Safety

Illawarra Safe Communities

"To reduce intentional and unintentional injury within the community."

Safe Communities is a WHO (World Health Organisation) initiative that recognises safety as "a universal concern and a responsibility for all". This new approach to injury prevention, makes the community safer by encouraging greater cooperation and collaboration between the business sector, government agencies, and the community.

Click here for the WHO Website.

In 1994 the Illawarra Safe Communities Program (ISCP) became the first accredited Safe Community in the Southern Hemisphere. There are currently 20 WHO accredited Safe Communities Programs around the globe, 5 of which are found in Australia. Other Australian Safe Communities are: Parkes (NSW); Noarlunga (SA); Latrobe, Hume (VIC). In 1998 Northern Suburbs and Ryde (NSW) programs will be applying for accreditation.

Other countries with accredited programs include; Thailand, France, the United States of America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Canada and the United Kingdom.

Objectives

raise community awareness of injury as a major public concern
develop community ownership and participation in injury prevention
work with existing groups who are responsible for injury prevention
use local injury data as a basis for planning appropriate interventions
be involved in a global network of Safe Communities

Case studies

SAFER CARS AND TAXIS...

In the past in Australia, many babies or young children were at risk of being injured because they were not properly restrained in cars. Laws were passed in 1984 for compulsory child and baby seats in private passenger vehicles however, taxis were exempt from having to provide restraints. In 1994, Safe Communities worked with the local taxi industry to trial the use of child restraints. Experiences from this trial were then used to develop a new law which required that all taxis transporting children under 12 months of age must have a properly fitted child restraint. As a result of this new law many children have been protected from injury.

IMPROVING BACKYARD POOL SAFETY...

Swimming pool fencing in various forms, has been a legal requirement in most Australian states and territories for at least the past ten years, however the compliance of domestic swimming pools with the requirements of this legislation remains an ongoing problem. Three local councils in regional NSW participated in this study which compared their approaches to managing domestic swimming pools and the levels of compliance achieved in relation to the requirements of the current NSW Swimming Pools Act (1992). The study also included a survey of pool owner attitudes to pool fencing and inspections, and the trial of an outsourced non-council run inspection program in one local government area. These experienced local government inspectors and managers repeatedly identified the significant weaknesses and limitations of the current NSW Swimming Pools Act (1992) in ensuring the safety of domestic swimming pools and recommended its immediate review.

Other Safety Projects and Activities

Securing funding for and setting up and supporting the Illawarra Road Safety Park
Securing funding for the extension of the Safe Communities approach for a 3 year Safe Communities project in Kiama Municipality
Organising and coordinating Annual Kidsafe Week Promotions
Conducting Child Restraint Seminars
Awarding Annual Safe Communities prizes
Conducting the Stop-a-Dog Bite campaign
Injury Surveillance Special Project with the University of Wollongong
Safety literature and resources are also provided to the community, students, and other organisations on request.
Conducting major review of private swimming pool safety & the role of local government in managing the issue.
Undertaking major investigations into the incidence & type of sports injuries in the region.