How to keep the whole family safe these school holidays

QAS advises parents implement plans to avoid misadventures.

STAY SAFE: Queensland Ambulance Service paramedics, like Derrick Scheuer who showed Max Richter emergency equipment, urges families to stay safe these school holidays. Picture: Sean White

PUTTING safety first and ensuring kids are well supervised these school holidays can prevent the heartache of broken bones or head injuries.

Queensland Ambulance Service Assistant Commissioner Stephen Zsombok said children will be excited to be on holidays.

It is important for parents and care-givers to revise and implement their supervision plans to avoid any misadventures.

"We're simply asking for close supervision, and where appropriate, correct safety equipment for recreation activities -such as helmets being worn when riding bikes or scooters,” he said.

"Broken bones can be fixed, but serious brain injuries that result from mishaps in the pool, on the motorbike track, or even on the backyard trampoline can end in devastating circumstances.”

Mr Zsombok said incidents are not limited to the home and urged any families travelling during the holidays to take precautions.

"Accidents happen any time, anywhere. Applying appropriate first aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) if needed can and does save lives ahead of paramedics arriving,” he said.

"A well-stocked and carefully thought out first aid kit can make all the difference when an emergency occurs, and one should be kept in the vehicle when driving long distances.”

QAS suggests families download the Emergency+ phone app prior to any travel to assist paramedics in quickly determining your location.

"If you are ensure of your location, this app allows emergency services to get help to you as soon as possible,” he said.

"The app provides exact GPS coordinates that can be relayed by the patient to the Triple Zero (000) call-taker, saving critical time in an emergency.”

"A medical emergency is a stressful event at the best of times, let along when you are in an unfamiliar environment.”