Flourish Health & Wellbeing eMag - Latest Edition - Flipbook - Page 37
2. Restrict
Crea琀椀ng barriers between
children and water can
save lives. Check that
your pool fence is in
good condi琀椀on, has a
self-closing, self-latching
gate, and complies with
your State or Territory’s
pool fencing laws (even
in昀氀atable pools over 30
cm deep must be fenced).
Close bathroom doors,
cover spas, water tanks,
and 昀椀shponds, and secure
lids on buckets and eskies.
If you live on a property
with dams or unfenced
water, use a secure
child-safe play area when
the outdoors can’t be
completely restricted.
A quick fence inspec琀椀on
before summer starts
is a smart seasonal habit
— it could make all
the di昀昀erence.
3. Teach
Help your child become
water aware. Start by
se琀�ng simple rules
about water safety — no
entering the pool area
without an adult, always
ask before ge琀�ng near
water, and avoid running
around slippery areas.
Early water
familiarisa琀椀on classes
(for children aged
6–36 months) focus on
basic skills like blowing
bubbles, moving in
the water, and ge琀�ng
comfortable with wet
faces. As they grow,
preschoolers can learn
more advanced water
con昀椀dence and
survival skills.
Remember, even
strong swimmers need
supervision. Knowing
how to swim is not the
same as knowing how to
stay safe.
4. Respond
Knowing what to do in an
emergency can mean the
di昀昀erence between life
and death. Every parent
and carer should learn
CPR and refresh their
skills regularly.
If your child ever goes
missing, always check
water sources — both
inside and outside —
昀椀rst. In most cases,
parents or family
members are the 昀椀rst
to respond, and quick
ac琀椀on saves lives.
Royal Life Saving
encourages everyone
to complete a CPR
course. It’s a small
investment of 琀椀me that
could save a life.
Other Hidden
Water Hazards
Pools and spas might seem
like the main concern, but
there are many less obvious
hazards around the home.
Buckets, bathtubs, eskies,
pet bowls, 昀椀shponds,
and even drains or water
fountains can all pose a risk
to young children.
Empty them a昀琀er use, cover
them, and store them out of
reach. In昀氀atable pools should
be drained and packed away
when not in use.
At home gatherings, it’s
easy to assume someone
else is watching — but that
assump琀椀on can be dangerous.
Always con昀椀rm who’s
supervising the kids, and
rotate the role to maintain
constant, focused a琀琀en琀椀on.
