Victoria's hub for health services and business
A gateway to the strategies, policies, programs and services delivered by the Department of Health & Human Services.
Victorian government portal for older people, with information about government and community services and programs.
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If you are bitten or stung by an insect or animal, apply first aid and seek medical treatment as soon as possible...
Learn what to do if you find yourself in a rip current...
Stop and think before you use a ladder...
We can keep our pools safe, healthy, and most importantly fun...
Farmer health, wellbeing and safety are often neglected when facing the pressures of harvest. Simple safety measures can dramatically reduce the risk of injury and illness...
Children should always be closely supervised near animals and taught how to behave safely around pets...
Most injuries to babies do not occur by chance - many are predictable and largely preventable...
Some children are unsettled the first few nights in a 'big bed'. Try to be patient, loving and reassuring...
Even if your baby furniture meets every safety standard and recommendation, your child still needs close supervision...
As they grow and develop, and with the help of adults, children become increasingly aware of how they can manage their own safety and become safer road and bicycle users...
Most hot tap water scald injuries to children happen in the bathroom...
By making a few practical changes to your home, you can dramatically reduce the risk of injury to your child...
Children have a natural ability to sense when they are hungry and when they are full...
Children who live on farms are at greater risk of injury and death than their parents or other farm workers...
Babies and children can quickly lose body fluids in hot weather, which can lead to dehydration...
A child's digital footprint can be as easy to follow as their real footprints...
Teach your child strategies for responding to mobile phone bullying...
Play environments can be safe and beneficial for your child. With proper planning, you can make sure your child gets plenty of playtime activity...
Call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 immediately if you suspect your child has been poisoned or given the wrong medicine or the wrong dose of medicine...
As they grow and develop, and with the help of adults, children become increasingly aware of how they can manage their own safety, and become safer road users...
Scooters can travel at fast speeds and falls and collisions are disturbingly common...
Toddlers are most at risk of drowning because they are mobile and curious but don't understand the danger of water...
Asbestos fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including lung cancer and mesothelioma...
Learn how to safely store and dispose of household chemicals, and how to respond when a person is poisoned...
Always disconnect the power supply before trying to help a victim of electric shock...
If you service your gas heater regularly and use it correctly, it will be safe and economical to use...
When handled properly, greywater can be safely reused for the garden...
Groundwater quality varies across Victoria; in some areas, groundwater is not suitable for use...
Injuries associated with ladder falls have been steadily increasing in Australia, especially among men aged 60 years and older doing work in and around the home...
Paul was sanding the exterior of his house when he overreached and fell more than two metres from his ladder...
Make sure your doctor knows about every medicine you take, including vitamins...
Falls are a major cause of injury for older people. Find out how you can prevent falls around your home...
If you use pesticides to control pests around the house, make sure you use as little as possible...
Check your swimming pool regularly to make sure the water is safe for swimming...
There are many ways to improve home safety for people whose vision is deteriorating...
Make sure your private drinking water supply is safe...
Don't advertise a party via SMS or the internet to limit the risk of gate-crashers and violent situations...
There is no such thing as a safe solarium tan...
Training too hard or fast is a common cause of sports-related injuries...
Heat kills more Australians than any natural disaster. Find out how you can treat and prevent heat-related illness...
People aged 65 years and over are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses and need special care in hot weather...
Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can be avoided by following simple prevention measures...
Know the effects of extreme heat, who is at risk and how you can prepare yourself and others...
The early responses to hypothermia will be moving around, seeking shelter, hair standing on end (goosebumps) and shivering...
Winter activities such as snow skiing or snowboarding pose a high risk of sunburn...
Choose a route that is appropriate for your age and fitness level. Warm up and cool down with a slow, gentle pace to ease in and out of your exercise session...
Drinking untreated water, such as creek water, bore water and sometimes even rainwater can lead to illnesses including gastroenteritis...
Motor vehicle crashes continue to be one of the biggest killers and causes of injury in Victoria...
Safe driving is up to every individual on the road. You can be a safe driver by being alert and ready to take action at any time...
You can reduce your risk of being mugged or robbed while travelling by taking a few simple precautions...
When returning to a flood-affected area, remember that wild animals, including rats, mice, snakes or spiders, may be trapped in your home, shed or garden...
When returning to your home after a flood, take precautions to reduce the possibility of injury, illness or disease...
Houses, sheds and other buildings or structures burnt in a bushfire can leave potential health hazards...
Being prepared for a bushfire helps you cope better in an emergency...
Bushfire smoke can reduce air quality in rural and urban areas, and may affect people's health...
You and your family should work out an emergency plan in case of flood...
Bushfire smoke can reduce air quality in rural and urban areas, and may affect people’s health. Planned burns are an important part of reducing the risk of bushfires...
Children can be affected by information regarding bushfire risk and they may become concerned about issues of safety. Talking to children openly in a way that suits their age, while also involving...
Urban flash flooding can happen quickly and without warning. Heavy rain causes runoff to collect in dips, car parks and roads, and there is a risk of contamination, injury and disease...
When asbestos fibres become airborne, people working with asbestos may inhale particles which remain in their lungs...
Low-level exposure to cadmium over a long period of time may cause health effects because cadmium can accumulate in the body...
Using a computer can contribute to problems of the muscles and joints, eyestrain and overuse injuries of the arms, wrists and hands...
Wearing eye protection appropriate for the task can significantly reduce the risk of injury...
Q fever is caused by a micro-organism that can be carried by cattle, sheep and goats...
A person working the night shift is at greater risk of various disorders and accidents...
People who work outdoors are in one of the highest risk groups for skin cancer...
A clash of personalities at work is bad for business, because it can affect productivity and increase absenteeism...
Around 60 per cent of people killed in confined spaces were trying to rescue someone else...
Stress responses can develop over time after trauma, and support may be required by some workers or groups...
Dangerous goods are objects or substances that are potentially harmful to people or the environment, such as explosives or chemicals...
A hazardous substance can be inhaled, splashed onto the skin or eyes, or swallowed...
The spread of many pathogens in the workplace can be prevented with regular hand washing...
A person can be injured when handling objects in a variety of ways including pulling, pushing, holding or restraining...
There are many ways to reduce exposure to excessive noise in the workplace...
Occupational overuse syndrome, also known as RSI, is caused by repetitive movements or awkward postures...
Sprayed chemicals can drift over neighbouring properties or water sources, and can affect human health, animals or the environment...
To reduce risks on the farm, use hazardous chemicals according to manufacturer guidelines or replace them with less dangerous options...
Any confined space on a farm can be dangerous and the threat may not be apparent until it's too late...
Hand and finger injuries are the most common crush injuries that occur on Victorian farms...
Falls are a common farm hazard, especially for older farmers...
Any animal-handling practices can increase the risk of injury to farmers, farm workers and the animal...
Poorly used or faulty machinery is a major cause of death and injury on farms...
Farm workers often experience muscle and ligament strain, but good manual handling techniques and safe work habits can prevent most injuries...
Most injuries and deaths involving quad bikes (all-terrain vehicles) are caused by the bike rolling over the rider...
Farms can be dangerous places for workers and family members, but the risks can be reduced...
Handling sheep can cause manual injuries and badly designed shearing sheds can present a range of hazards...
Provides immediate, expert health advice from a registered nurse. Call 1300 60 60 24
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