Saturday, September 10, 2011

Water Safety And Your Kids


It was a joy to speak with Ross Gage the CEO of Swim Australia.
An organisation who not only educates about water safety but offers great guidance in selecting a qualified swim instructor for your child.

I was shocked to discover how drowning is the number one cause of death and injury in children under the age of five.

We spoke about the importance of pool and spa fencing, how important it is to never leave your child alone near water. I child can drown in your pets water bowl, that's all it takes.
It's really important to be in the moment with your child around water and focus on them and not your friends, phone calls or trying to do 100 things at once!

Ross was a pleasure to speak with.
For more information on finding a swim instructor or water safety check out the Swim Australia Website.
www.swimaustralia.org.au


CLICK BELOW TO HEAR MY INTERVIEW




Young children love water and it can be fun for everybody, as well as great exercise. But it’s vital that you or another grown-up always watches your child when in, on or around any water, because drowning can happen quickly and quietly.
Toddler playing in pool with her mother

did you knowQuestion mark symbol

About 7% of child drownings happen in the bath. Stay with your child, even if she's only splashing in a couple of centimetres of water in an inflatable pool or in the bathtub.

Drowning: what you need to know

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under five.
Babies and toddlers are top-heavy, which makes them susceptible to drowning. If a baby falls into even shallow water, she cannot always lift herself out. Drowning can occur quickly and quietly, without any warning noises.
In Australia, children under five drown in:
  • swimming pools (16 children drowned in pools in 2009-10)
  • baths (five children drowned in the bath in 2009-10)
  • rivers, creeks and oceans (nine children drowned in a river or in the ocean in 2009-10)
  • dams and lakes (four children drowned in dams in 2009-10).
Children also drown in less obvious locations, such as nappy buckets, water tanks, water features and fish ponds – even pets’ water bowls. Four children drowned in these locations during 2009-10.
For every drowning, approximately three other children are hospitalised from a near-drowning incident, some of which result in severe brain damage.