Why become a Safety Club school
‘Unintentional injuries make up around 95% all child injury deaths and cost the nation an estimated 1.5 billion dollars annually.’ (Research Centre for Injury Studies, Flinders University 1995-96)
A significant proportion of injuries sustained by children and adolescents happen at school (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Hazard Edition 53).The Safety Club plays a vital role in reducing unintentional injuries because “whether intentional or accidental most physical injuries can be prevented by identifying their cause and removing these, or reducing people’s exposure to them” (The National injury Prevention and Safety Promotion Plan 2004 – 2014, Canberra NPHP).
The Safety Club engages students and the wider school community in safety awareness and injury prevention in a fun and interactive way.
Students who become Safety Club representatives have reported increased confidence, improved leadership, organizational and public speaking skills.
BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THE SAFETY CLUB PROGRAM
- Reduction in childhood injuries, pain and suffering.
- Creation of a safety culture within the school community.
- Opportunities for student leadership development
- Increased safety awareness and behavioural change in student and staff.
- Development of risk intelligence in children.
DUTY OF CARE
The governing body of a school owes common law and statutory duties to its employees, as well as to the students, contractors, visitors and other non-employees whose health and safety may be affected by activities at the school.
At the KIDS Foundation, we believe the Safety Club has the ability to support schools to identify and assess hazards and make the appropriate physical and/or behavioural changes to ensure the well-being of all who work, learn or visit the school.