The dangers of driving a car while affected by alcohol are well known. Researchers in the USA have now shown that alcohol poses even greater dangers to cyclists.

Studies at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore , Maryland , demonstrated that a single drink increases the risk of death or serious injury to cyclists by 5 times. Having 5 drinks before riding your bike increases the risk 20 times.

The researchers noted that riding a bicycle requires greater psychomotor skill and physical co-ordination than driving a car, which explains why the risks increase so dramatically under the influence of alcohol. Bike riders who had been drinking were less likely to use safety precautions such as helmets, increasing the risk of serious injury still further.

Some people who have lost their driving licence for drunk driving switch to bicycles as a means of transport. They should remember that alcohol is still a major hazard with this form of transport.

Children are most at risk
Children are, by nature, explorers. Their lives are full of new sensations which they want to find out about. This normal curiosity can sometimes lead them into danger. Unintentional poisoning is one of the greatest of these dangers, particularly for children under the age of 5.

It is important to remember that young children learn about new things by putting them in their mouths. Feeding has been their main source of pleasure and it is natural, when something new comes their way, to see what it tastes like. But if the wrong things go in, serious, even fatal, poisoning may result.

While in most instances the poison will not kill, about 50 Australian children are hospitalised each week from unintentional poisoning.

Poisoning can occur at any time and in any place, e.g. your own home, while visiting relatives, holidaying, while moving and when guests are visiting.

Childhood poisoning may be accidental, but it can still be prevented. Because it is impossible to keep your eyes on a young child 24 hours a day, protection is vital for those times when you do take your eyes away—even for a second.

Some dangerous items
Many everyday household items are often not thought of as dangerous.

Among the items which can cause serious harm to a young child are medicines (including over-the-counter products such as paracetamol and cold preparations), many creams and ointments, vitamins, cleaning products, gardening products, cosmetics, perfumes, alcohol, car products and cigarette butts.

Ensuring a child has no access to poisonous things is the best line of defence. Everyone can take responsibility to reduce the chances of a child being poisoned, whether children live in your home, or if they go to your home on an occasional visit. Prevention takes a few minutes and in most instances costs nothing to implement.

What can you do?