Australia has one of the worlds’ highest asthma mortality rates, according to the Asthma in Australia Report 2008 by the Australian institute of Health and Welfare.

While there have been improvements in younger age groups over the last five years, according to the report asthma still causes a high proportion of deaths in younger age groups. And, it is one of the primary reasons young children are rushed to the emergency room, or are absent from school - facts which show how important it is not to become complacent.

This message is one that the Asthma Foundation of Australia, together with the help of long time partners Dyson and Harvey Norman, are reinforcing with the Kid’s Breathe Better campaign which aims to educate parents and carers about the importance of asthma management. As part of this campaign, local communities had the opportunity to vote for a childcare centre in their area to receive a FREE Dyson vacuum cleaner – a key tool in targeting indoor asthmas and allergy trigger,

There was a fantastic community response to this campaign” says Robin Ould, CEO Asthma Foundations Australia, “Dyson and Harvey Norman will be donating 406 vacuum cleaners worth $385,294 to childcare centres around Australia – it’s a great way to help centres effectively target indoor triggers

In Australia, we know there are increasing numbers of young children being cared for outside the home, so it is imperative that we provide these community carers with the information they need to care for kids with Asthma; this campaign is a great opportunity to push forward our asthma friendly child service program, and invite centres to book local Asthma Foundation educators during this time said Mr Ould Dyson SEA Managing Directors, Ross Cameron was also excited with the outcome and being able to provide tangible practical aid with the latest “Kids breath better “initiative.

We know one of the recommendations by microbiology lab, that is also supported by the Asthma Foundation of Australia in helping mangage asthma, is to maintain a clean environment; vacuum cleaning with a Dyson helps remove more dirt, dust and other allergens like pollen, bacteria and mould spores, all of which can trigger asthma attack’

And the message to child care centres is quite clear when it comes to how important protecting the kids in their care is.

Recently, Tasmania became the second state in Australia to put regulations in to place to protect children in childcare centres.

From 1st January 2009,all Tasmanian centres must have one member to staff available each day who is trained to administer life –saving asthmas medication during an attack. Designated staff must complete Asthma Foundation Australian’s Emergency Management competency training to qualify.

These new regulations follows closely on the heels of laws that come into effect in Victoria on 14th July, stating that a child care centre must have policies in place to manage children who suffer life threatening allergies including anaphylaxis.

Asthmatic are at particular risk of developing anaphylaxis.