Most young children love water and water play is a central part of many Australians lives. However young children especially need careful supervision around water, even in a shallow bath. Babies can drown in as little as 5cm of water. Experts claim that prevention and 100% supervision are essential to keep your child safe around water.
From an early age, teach your child basic water safety. Many places have water safety courses for young children. However, even if your child can swim, you still need to supervise them.
Some things to consider are:
Around the home
- Adhere to Australian standards for Pool safety.
- Supervise babies and children in the bath at all times and empty bath when child is out.
- Drain any buckets, wading pools, garden areas of water when you are finished with them.
- Water features inside and outside the house (including aquariums) need appropriate safety devices or out of a child’s reach.
- If using a nappy bucket, make sure it has a secure lid and is up out of child’s reach; and be aware of your toilets: preferably keep lids down or shut toilet door when room not in use.
At beaches, lakes, rivers
- Always be near your children or close by if they are older.
- Choose patrolled beaches for swimming.
- Use a certified flotation device for your child, especially if you have more than one young child to supervise.
- Make sure you know the beach characteristics and check swimming holes in rivers and lakes for underwater rocks etc.
Around dams, ponds, water tanks
- If you have young children, make sure your home area is securely fenced.
- Any water tanks need secure lids.
- Don’t leave ladders or other climbing devices near your water tank.
Illustrated CPR Guides
At Angel’s Paradise, any water play time is well supervised and children are taught appropriate play around water.