HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL -15 March 1989 香港立法局 一九八九年三月十五日
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leave their children unattended and urge them to pay particular attention to their children's physical and mental well-being and to be alert to sudden changes in their habits, health and behaviour. These information booklets are supplemented by a wide range of family life education programmes and campaigns conducted by the Social Welfare Department and voluntary welfare agencies. Also, the Medical and Health Department's Central Health Education Unit provides general health education to parents and advice on how they should care for their children's health.
As young people spend a considerable amount of their time in school, the Hong Kong Education Regulations 1971 require supervisors and heads of schools and kindergartens to take every precaution to ensure pupils' safety. These regulations specifically cover school premises and structural requirements, roof playgrounds, school workshops and science laboratories, fire precautions, and health and sanitation. The Education Department issues circulars, guidelines and special booklets to teachers to ensure that the regulations are observed. Similar regulations are contained in the Child Care Centre Ordinance, and a Code of Practice on Child Care Centres is issued by the Social Welfare Department to operators of these centres.
As regards young people at work, safety training is an integral part of apprenticeship programmes, and officers of the Labour Department pay regular visits to schools to talk to senior students about safety at work. One-day programmes on safety at work are provided every year for students taking up summer jobs. The department's factory inspectorate and the Occupational Safety and Health Council are specifically concerned with safety in the workplace for all employees including young people.
As regards measures to protect children from road accidents, there is legislation on the wearing of seat belts in private cars, and this will be extended to taxis and light buses on 1 July 1989. To educate children on road safety, the Road Safety Council produces road safety teaching kits for use in kindergartens and primary schools and runs cycling proficiency courses for young persons. There is also a Road Users Code published by Government of which two chapters are aimed at children. In addition, the Road Safety Association organizes various programmes, such as school crossing patrols, and there is off- street training for motor-cyclists, many of whom are young persons.
Of potential danger to younger children are improperly constructed consumer products, such as toys. The Consumer Council has a programme for testing a variety of products including those used by and affecting the younger age group. When unsafe or dangerous products are identified, the council approaches manufacturers or importers and, if necessary, alerts the public. A
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