Each year hundreds of Australian men, women and children die from sun and water related injuries and diseases with many unaware that the products they purchased to protect them were not up to the job.
To raise awareness around sun and water safety, SAI Global and the Cancer Council will be holding a Summer Safe media opportunity today, Tuesday, 7 December, from 11.30am at the Boy Charlton Swimming Pool, Mrs Macquarie’s Road, The Domain, Sydney.
The Chief Executive of SAI Global Ltd, Mr Ross Wraight; “It is a little known fact that each year more than 1300 Australians die from melanoma and a further 382,000 Australians are diagnosed with skin cancer.”
“It is important to remember that when you slip, slop and slap this summer you also check that the product you are using meets Australian Standards® and displays the 5tick Australian safety mark.”
“While 1300 Australians die each year of skin cancer a further 250 people drown in our waterways. Drowning is the second largest unintentional cause of death for 0-4 year olds and 1 in 3 drownings of children under 5 happen when a child wanders off unsupervised.”
It is important that all life jackets, pool fencing and other water safety equipment should be rigorously tested and approved as meeting the Australian Standard®, and look for the 5tick safety mark.”
“Using the right equipment and following the Australian water safety signs stands to assist in reducing the number of deaths this summer.”
“Products that display the 5tick safety mark have been rigorously tested to meet some of the world’s toughest safety Standards, so to stay safe this summer look for the 5tick mark.”
Other safety standards to look for on products as a guide to safety are:
- AS 2416 – 2002 Design and application of water safety signs
- AS 1512 – Personal flotation devices Type 1
- AS 1499 – Personal flotation devices Type 2
- AS 2260 – Personal flotation devices Type 3
- AS 1926.2 – Swimming pool safety
- AS/NZS 2604:1998 Sunscreen products – Evaluation and classification
- AS/NZS 1067:2003 Sunglasses and fashion spectacle
- AS/NZS 4399:1996 Sun protective clothing – Evaluation and classification
- AS/NZS 2635:2002 Solaria for cosmetic purpose
Sun and water safety experts including Mr Craig Sinclair from the Cancer Council and the 5tick summer safety kids and their parents will be available from 11.30am today, Tuesday 7, December at the Boy Charlton Swimming Pool, Mrs Macquarie’s Road, The Domain, Sydney.
For further information about the 5tick safety mark and the summer safe standards please visit www.sai-global.com or call 1300 65 46 46.
Media Inquiries
Tom Godfrey – SAI Global
+61 2 8206 6863 · 0414 191 034 · tom.godfrey@sai-global.com
The 5Tick mark is Australia’s symbol of safety and quality and demonstrates that a product have been rigorously tested every six months to Australian Standards®. The mark goes beyond a manufacturer’s claim, given consumers extra confidence in the safety and performance of the product they are purchasing.