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152018Oct

20% reduction on swimming pool drownings 10-year average

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Pool safety & supervision reaps rewards
20% reduction on swimming pool 10-year average
There were 249 drowning deaths in aquatic locations across Australia between 1 July 2017 and 30 June 2018. Twelve children 0-5 drowned in swimming pools in 2018. This represents a reduction of 20% when compared to the 10-year average.

Indicators

  • Supervision was completely absent in 64% of cases
  • A further 6% of children were left to be supervised by siblings or other children
  • Supervision was absent for 5-10 minutes in 35% of cases and 3-5 minutes in 24% of cases
  • In 71% of cases the child drowned in the pool located at their primary residence
  • The most common means of access were:
    • 38% faulty fence or gate
    • 26% lack of fence
    • 24% gate propped open

SWIMMING POOL & SPA INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Robson’s Pool Safety Inspections supports water safety initiatives around swimming pools and spas that minimise the potential for accidents to occur.

The following guidelines assist in the safe use of a swimming pool or spa:

  1. SUPERVISE – always keep watch of your child and in arms reach when around water. Supervision is the key to prevent toddler drowning, adequate supervision means a responsible adult is supervising at all times.
  2. RESTRICT ACCESS – restrict unsupervised access to water at all times. Understanding the importance of a compliant safety barrier and its maintenance ensures that access to the pool or spa is limited and provides a deterrent.
  3. Education – teach your child to be water confident.
    Ensure children are taught swimming, survival and lifesaving skills at an early age, set rules for children near water and ensure those rules are enforced.
  4. RESPOND – learn CPR
    In the event of an emergency, every parent and pool owner should have learnt first aid and CPR.
  5. HEALTHY POOL OR SPA – keep your pool/spa water healthy
    A healthy pool or spa ensures that you and your family can swim and enjoy your pool and/or spa all year round by keeping the chemistry right.