Kidsafe recommends that parents and carers take the following precautions to reduce the risk of child drowning.
Supervise
- Never take your eyes off children around water.
- Active Supervision involves parents and carers keeping an eye on children at all times. Do not expect older children to look after their younger siblings. Children have short attention spans and can be easily distracted.
- Remain within arms reach at all times. This will ensure that you can get to the child in time if something does go wrong.
- Take children with you if you leave the pool area, even for a minute.
Restrict access
- Restrict children’s access to water through the use of safety barriers such as pool fencing.
- Remove hazards such as pot plants and chairs well away from pool fences to avoid children climbing on to them and over the fence.
- Do not prop any doors or gates open that allow children access to the pool area.
- Create a safe play area for children away from bodies of water such as pools.
Knowledge
- Water familiarisation lessons can assist in teaching children to swim while also helping them understand water safety.
- Enrol in a resuscitation course and update skills annually so you are able to respond in case of an emergency.
- Resuscitation posters are a good reminder to keep around pools and spas.
Resources
Royal Life Saving Australia – ‘Keep Watch’ program
