Water Safety
Children have always been interested in water. Water related activities provide a lot of enjoyment for children and allow them to learn about the properties of water.
Unfortunately it can also be a hazard for young children and parents and carers need to be constantly aware of water safety issues.
Drowning is the main cause of injury and death in Australian children aged 1 to 4. In summer, the death rate among children due to drowning rises dramatically. Basic swimming skills and water safety awareness can reduce this figure and save Australian lives.
Swimming pools are the most common source of drowning for children aged 1 to 4 but parents and carers need also to be aware of the water safety issues surrounding small containers such as buckets, bathtubs, inflatable pools, ponds and fountains.
Water safety is also crucial around natural bodies of water such as dams, rivers, lakes and oceans which can often be unpredictable and unfamiliar to children.
Safety procedures must be in place at all times when your children are playing in or around water and water safety precautions such as fences and flotation devices must be present wherever necessary.
Very young children are more likely to drown because they have fallen into a body of water, but drowning accidents can also occur when children are already in the water. If your child is near water, playing with water or immersed in water, water safety precautions must include constant anticipatory supervision.
It is important that you and your children understand the need for water safety.
Children will always be attracted to water, so here are some helpful tips to help ensure water safety:
- Children need to be watched at All times. Supervision is the key to effective water safety. Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian whenever they are in or around water – no matter how small the water container is.
- Bath time should be fun! A parent or older child should always supervise children whenever they are in the bath. Even if you are out of the room for a minute, if a child slips, there is a chance that they could drown or hit their head. If for some reason you need to leave the bathroom it’s better to lift the child out of the bath rather than leave him or her alone.
- Even a shallow paddle pool can be hazardous for an unsupervised child. To improve water safety, after children have finished playing in the paddle pool it should be emptied and stored upside down.
- Always make sure that there is an adult on watch who can swim, even if the child’s parents cannot. Older siblings may be strong swimmers but may lack the ability to foresee accidents before they happen or possess the lifesaving skills to help, without putting themselves in danger. Adult supervision is critical to the safety of your child! Water safety involves assessing a situation or area to detect risks before they can cause harm.
- There are many childhood water safety programs available for infants and young children, to teach them to float and eventually provide them with the ability to paddle to the side of a swimming pool if they fell in. Swimming classes are available through local councils, pools and schools. You should also remember that while children may have attended programs to teach them to float or paddle, parents should never rely on this for the safety of the child. Water safety rests in the supervision of parents whenever children are in or around water. Vigilance is critical!
- No one is ever too old to learn! Parents, carers and teachers should be confident in the water. There are swimming and water safety classes available through local councils, schools, pools and parent clubs and mother programs are often free.
- All parents, carers and teachers should obtain Level II First Aid or be confident with CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation). CPR can be used to resuscitate a child who has drowned and is also applicable to many other emergency situations. First Aid and other water safety courses are available through most local councils, schools, community groups and further education centres. Alternatively, you can contact The Heart Foundation for more information on water safety.
- Swimming pools need to be kept clean and clear even in winter.
- Most importantly, adequate water safety fencing or barriers should be constructed around any pool. Ensure that fences and child-lock gates are present on any property before taking your children. There are many child water safety laws in Australia that make it imperative for all pools be isolated from direct access. These laws have saved more lives than any other program launched in Australia, in the appeal to raise awareness of child water safety for you and your.
Water safety information and fencing regulations can be found at the following government websites:
Water safety is one of the most important issues we have in Australia. It is crucial that an adult who knows basic swimming and First Aid is present when you are around water with your child. Water safety and awareness can prevent thousands of Australian children from drowning each year.
