Water Safety
Water safety in the home is essential. Be aware of water sources around your home and take action to prevent access by children to these areas including:
- Buckets
- Nappy Pails
- Baths
- Wading Pools
- Swimming Pools
- Spas
- Ponds
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia statistics showed that half of the children under the age of five who drown, do so in backyard swimming pools or spas.
Sadly, on average, one child dies each week in Australia as a result of preventable drowning.
Over a 10 year period from 1995 to 2004, 25 children aged under 5 drowned in bathtubs. It is estimated that for every one of those deaths, 3 to 4 children in the same age range suffered a near drowning experience in a bathtub. Some of these were left with permanent injuries such as brain damage.
The Royal Life Saving Society Australia produces a National Drowning Report each year. Click here to go to the website.