20 November 2018

Water safety, responsible drinking and keeping safe in the sun are some of many summer safety messages being promoted at Marton’s Holiday Safety Day early next month.

These important summer messages will be the subjects of public talks and stalls taking place on Friday 7 December (10am to 2pm) at Memorial Hall, Wellington Road, which lead organiser and Plunket community support coordinator Heidi Wright says local agencies are keen to be part of.

Along with experts presenting advice on how to stay safe during summer, there will be talks on dog safety, fire safety, skin safety and very importantly - safety around rivers and pools.

“Water safety is one of the key messages of the day,” says Rangitikei Health Centre public health nurse Marilyn Archibald.

“The number of river drownings in our region is high so it’s important to get the swim safely message out there. A total of 105 people drowned in Aotearoa last year, and tragically, there have been river and beach drownings in our district during the last four years. This is going to be a hot summer so we want swimmers to take care.

“Responsible drinking as well as vehicle safety are also timely messages with the festive season just around the corner.

“We’ll have information about road safety, bicycle safety, driver’s licence requirements and the importance of safe use of children’s car seats. We also want to make people aware of the dangers of backing vehicles in driveways - and the risks of not always being able to see children in the rear view mirror.”

Another focus of the day is safe infant sleeping which coincides with the 7 December National Safe Sleep Day dedicated to raise awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death in Infants (SUDI). To mark National Safe Sleep Day, representatives from Whanganui Regional Health Network (WRHN) will be onsite promoting Pepi Pods and Wahakura (made of woven flax) plus sharing other tips for safe infant sleeping.

And finally, a ‘Water Only’ refreshment stand and free sausage sizzle will be onsite for those attending Marton’s Holiday Safety Day.

Groups taking part in the event include: Whanganui District Health Board, Te Kotuku Hauora, Plunket Society, Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, New Zealand Police, Rangitikei District Council, Horizons Road Safety, Whanganui Regional Health Network, Whanganui Regional Health Network, Cancer Society Sun Safety, Southern Rangitikei Vet Services, Whanganui Quit Clinic (Smokefree), New Zealand Fire Service and St John Ambulance.