Water Safety

Whether at home, visiting family and friends or on holiday, it is always important to keep safety in mind when children are in or near water.

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five. Drowning can occur quickly and quietly, without any warning noises.Sadly, on average, one child dies each week in Australia as a result of preventable drowning.

Children can drown in shallow water:

• swimming pools
• spas
• bath tubs
• rivers, creeks and oceans
• dams and lakes

Children also drown in less obvious locations:

• nappy buckets,
• toilets
• water tanks,
• water features
• fish ponds
• pets’ water bowls

For more information on water safety refer to the following Kidsafe NSW resources:

• Swimming Pool Safety factsheet
• Kids in & Around Water brochure

Visit the following websites for more information:

• Children’s Hospital Westmead – Protect Your Pool Protect Your Kids
• The Royal Life Saving Society Australia – National Drowning Report
• Samuel Morris Foundation