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The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) Australia, in their recent report, revealed an alarming increase in the number of children who’ve drowned over the past year.
According to RLSS, in the 12 months to July this year, an estimated 31 children under the age of 5 died in waterways, pools and even bathtubs – a 50% increase on the previous year.
The RLSS has cited a lack of adult supervision/responsibility as the main reason behind 81% of incidences of children drowning.
Did you know?
- 291 people drowned between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013.
- 238 (82%) were male.
- 53 (18%) were female.
- 31 (11%) of deaths were among children aged under 5.
- In half the cases, children accessed an unfenced pool or entered through a faulty or open gate.
- 114 (39%) of deaths were among people aged 55 to 64.
- 99 (34%) of deaths were at inland waterways.
Fun doesn’t have to be fatal
Water-based sport and recreation activities are an important part of Australian culture. But while any time spent at the pool, beach or water park can be fun, without the correct supervision, it can also be deadly.
In a statement during the launch of the Australian Water Safety Council’s Strategy for 2012/2015, Kate Lundy, Minister for Sport, said: “The Australian Government wants all Australians and visitors to our shores to be able to participate in water activities safely, and enjoy the benefits that come from this participation.”
Points to consider for safe water fun include:
- Swimming in designated lifeguard-supervised areas
- Not swimming alone
- Always taking a buddy along for the swim, even at lifeguarded beaches and public pools
- Making sure that everyone in the family learns to swim
- Never leaving children unattended near water
- Never trusting a child with another child’s life
- Teaching children to ask permission to go near water
- Not letting anyone play around drains and suction fittings at pools
- Putting a stop to underwater breath-holding contests
- Being cautious around natural bodies of water such as shorelines, rivers and lakes
- Always wearing a life jacket if you go boating
- Avoiding alcohol – it impairs judgment, balance and coordination
- Installing and using barriers around your home pool
- Adding pool covers and alarms as additional protection
- Ensuring pool barriers enclose the entire area and are at least 1.2m high
- Installing pool gates that are self-closing/self-latching and which open outward
- Removing access ladders and securing safety covers on above-ground or inflatable pools
- Keeping toys that are not in use out of sight; these attract young children to the pool
All parents or anyone who loves water are also encouraged to enrol in water-safety courses, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to prevent accidents and to respond in emergencies. This could mean the difference between life and death.
To enrol in or to find out more about available life-saving or CPR courses, you can contact the Royal Life Saving Society by calling (02) 8217 3111 or sending an email to info@rlssa.org.au.
