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Royal Life Saving Reminds Parents/Carers that Water Safety is a Year Round Concern

Royal Life Saving wants to remind parents and carers that even as the weather cools, water safety is a year round concern, summer may be over but tragically we have seen at least 7 toddler drowning deaths/near drownings since end March 2008.

Royal Life Saving's 2007 National Drowning report illustrated that 35 young children 0-4 years drowned last year; 16 were in pools, 6 drowned in bathtubs, 9 in rivers, lakes and dams and 4 tragically lost their lives in unknown locations.

"Royal Life Saving's Keep Watch Program stresses the importance of supervision, of the 35 toddlers that drowned last year 23 of them had fallen or wandered into water prior to drowning," Royal Life Saving's Research and Health Promotions Manager, Dr Richard Franklin said.

"Supervision regardless of the aquatic location means being within arms reach of your child whenever they are in, on or around water," Dr Franklin said.

"Drowning deaths can occur in the time it takes to answer the doorbell, run and get a change of clothes or make a cup of coffee. Drowning is swift and silent which is why parents must be within arms reach of young children in water," Dr Franklin added.

Royal Life Saving's Keep Watch Program consists of four key tips:

  1. Young children need to be supervised constantly (within arms' reach) whenever they are in, on or around water.
  2. Restricting a young child's access to water either by putting a barrier around the water or around the child is also effective in preventing drowning deaths.
  3. Undertaking water familiarisation with your child will help you to become aware of the dangers.
  4. Learning resuscitation can help if an incident does occur. Enrol today it may save your child's life.

For further information and fact sheets please visit: www.keepwatch.com.au

* View a special message on the 7:30 Report on ABC1 related to water safety issues on Tuesday 29th April.

Information for the 2007 National Drowning Report is primarily collected from the National Coroners Information System (NCIS) and media reports.

Media Release courtesy of Royal Life Saving Society Australia.

Release Date: 29th April 2008

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