The Child Accident Prevention Foundation of Australia (CAPFA) was first established on March 5, 1979 by leading paediatric surgeons and businessmen who were committed to providing a safer environment for children in the 0 to 14 age range. The name Kidsafe was adopted nationally in 1993.

Since the establishment of Kidsafe, the number of child deaths and hospitalisations have halved. In 1979, child injury death rates for 0-14 year olds were 19.0 per 100,000 persons, while in the most recent data available (2014-15), these now sit at 4.0 per 100,000 persons. This equates to a total of 195 child injury deaths in 2014-15, compared to 705 in 1979 – but still more can be done.^1,2

Over the past 40 years, Kidsafe has worked collaboratively with a number of partners across Australia on Research, Advocacy and Education programs to ensure children are kept safe at home, on the road, and during play.

Join Kidsafe as we celebrate 40 years of making a safer world for kids. To follow our celebrations this year make sure you are following Kidsafe Australia on Facebook here!

References:

1. AIHW: Henley G & Harrison JE 2018. Trends in injury deaths, Australia, 1999–00 to 2014–15. 
Injury research and statistics series no. 112. Cat. no. INJCAT 192. Canberra: AIHW.

2. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2016. GRIM (General Record of Incidence of Mortality) Books. AIHW: Canberra.