Every week in Tasmania, children are rushed to hospital due to injuries that were never meant to happen.

A fall from a piece of furniture. A driveway incident. An incorrectly fitted car seat. A scald from a hot drink. These are not rare accidents — they are unintentional injuries, and they are one of the leading causes of death and serious harm in young Tasmanians.

At Kidsafe Tasmania, we believe it’s time to shine a spotlight on this hidden epidemic. Especially as June is Burns Awareness Month.

Unintentional injuries don’t often make headlines, but their impact is profound. Families are left traumatised. Lives are changed in an instant. And too often, the heartbreak could have been prevented with a simple piece of knowledge or a safer environment.

That’s why we are calling on the whole community, government, parents, carers, educators, local governments, businesses and health professionals to help raise awareness.

Because when more people understand the risks, more children stay safe.

Knowledge saves lives and raising awareness isn’t about blame, it’s about empowerment. Many parents are shocked to learn how quickly and quietly hazards can turn into serious injuries.

Through our work in homes, early learning centres, playgroups, CHaPS, various children’s groups and community events, we see time and again how education can make a real difference.

Knowing how to safely restrain a child in a car seat. Learning about the danger of button batteries, how easily burns can occur, understanding such things as why toppling furniture needs to be secured are all important conversations to be had. These are small actions, but they can prevent life-altering injuries.

Prevention is everyone’s responsibility and unintentional injuries are not just a family issue they are a public health issue. The ripple effects touch our hospitals, our schools and our communities. But when we work together to spread safety messages, we help build a culture where prevention becomes second nature.

Every conversation, social media post or safety campaign can change a mindset and potentially save a life.

The benefits are clear. By raising awareness, we don’t just reduce injuries. We reduce emergency hospital visits. We reduce long-term disabilities. We reduce the emotional and financial toll on families. And we give young Tasmanians the best chance to grow, play, and thrive safely.

At Kidsafe Tasmania, we’re committed to working with all sectors to lift awareness, share life-saving information, and support families in every corner of the state.

Because every child deserves a safe start in life and every adult has a role in making that happen.

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse view of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

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