In the 12 months to July 2008, 261 Australians drowned in our waterways, including 27 children under four, 13 aged between five and 14, and 67 people aged between 15 and 34.

Most of the youngest children’s deaths came after falling or wandering into water, while the older children died, mainly, after falling into water, swimming or playing in water, or at lakes, dams, lagoons and rivers.

“Many of these deaths were preventable,” says Rob Bradley, CEO of Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSSA). “It’s vital that adults supervise children around water and youngsters should be vigilant at all times.”

To ensure your child stays safe in the water:

• Make sure your child is supervised at all times and, if they’re under the age of five, keep them within arm’s reach.
• Familiarise your child with water and make sure they can swim early.
• Provide barriers to water locations and inspect them regularly.
• Objects that could be used to climb any fence near a pool should be removed from the area.
• Pool aids and toys should be stored securely and out of view.
• Learn resuscitation in case of an accident. Uncle Tobys and the RLSSA have formed a swim safety initiative. Visit www.royallifesaving.com.au.

Eliminating child drowning
With the number of children being born in Australia rising; parents, government and the community must address the often neglected risk of child drowning before further lives are lost this summer.

Child drowning remains a significant cause of preventable death, particularly in children aged under 5 years. Parents and carers can reduce this risk and provide their children valuable skills for life by following a number of actions.

These actions are: active supervision, restricting the child’s access to water, taking their child to water familiarisation lessons and learning resuscitation.

Top swim safety tips

• Go together: when playing in, on or around water always make sure someone is with you.
• Reach to rescue: if someone needs help, do not get in the water. Lie down and reach out with a stick or throw a buoyant object top them.
• Stay afloat and wave: if you are in trouble in the water, try to relax, roll on your back, float, hold onto something if available and wave one arm to attract attention.
• In natural waterways, always enter the water slowly; feet first, never dive in.
• Where possible swim in designated swimming areas.

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