How to Keep Your Child SAFER in and Around the Water.....

Drowning is the greatest cause of accidental death in the under five age group in Australia.  Each year, families are struck by tragedy as children die from drowning or are physically affected by a near drowning. 

Where children & water are concerned, there is no such thing as ‘water safe' or ‘drownproof'.  It is most important for parents & caregivers to provide their young child who can swim, with the same level of supervision as one who cannot swim.  Kids are kids; they can be unpredictable in their behaviour, & drowning accidents do happen, but YOU can make a difference:

Swimming lessons provide confidence & skills which your child will use for life.  Giving your child the opportunity to learn how to swim well is one of the greatest gifts.  Lessons will equip them with survival skills that will help save their life in an emergency situation

When your child is around the water - SUPERVISE.  This does not mean an occasional glance while reading or snoozing - Supervision is defined as constant visual contact from within a distance of 3-5 metres, or arms reach if they're under 4 years.

Beware of DISTRACTIONS while supervising.  Children have drowned while their caregiver is busy poolside with another child, has answered the phone, checked on the dinner etc.  If a DISTRACTION demands attention, even if you know your child can swim, remove them from the water & secure them elsewhere until supervision can recommence.

The following things are NOT substitutes for supervision:

Pool fences,  Older children looking out for them,  Floatation aides, Swimming lessons Children have drowned despite all of the above.

Shallow water blackout can happen when a person hyperventilates before trying to see how far they can swim underwater eg. laps of a backyard pool.  Discourage &/or supervise these types of games.

Be aware of making water SAFER around your HOME -

• never leave small children alone in the bath & empty bathtubs as soon as the child is out.
• empty all buckets & wading pools after playing
• put the lid on the nappy bucket
• secure the spa area
• beware of the dog's water bucket - keep the dish shallow
• don't leave toddlers unsupervised with access to a toilet (it has happened!)
• be aware of any other large containers around the home & surrounding area that can fill up with rain water to become a drowning hazard.
• Take toys out of pools (they may attract children) & beware of bins / outdoor furniture that children can push up to climb over pool fences.

When out visiting or on holidays, check for dangers - wading pools, open drains, garden ponds, creeks or dams, neighbouring pools/spas- when away from home some children tend to explore & be attracted to water & drowning accidents do happen.

Learn CPR & what to do in a drowning emergency - every second counts.

We must make a conscious effort to do everything we can to make our precious children SAFER around water.  If one life is saved, then every effort has been worth it.

Click here to give your child our CleverKids SAFER SUMMER FUN QUIZ - ideas on how to talk to children about water safety rules....