Children love water and have a natural curiosity about it. Water play can be a fun activity, and learning to swim has many benefits. However, drowning is the third most common cause of death for Australian children aged one to 14. Children can drown quickly and silently – it only takes 20 seconds and a few centimetres of water. One- and two-year-old children are particularly at risk. Near-drownings can have catastrophic consequences, and lead to permanent disabilities.

Supervision is vital in preventing childhood drownings or near-drownings. By learning and enforcing the following four simple safety rules, you can help keep children safe around water.

Rule 1: Constant active supervision

Never take your eyes off children in, on or around water.

• Supervision means constant visual contact, not the occasional glance.

• You should actively supervise children, even if they can swim.

• Avoid all distractions, including using a phone or answering the door.

• Do not leave older children (under the age of 16) to supervise younger siblings.

• Children under five must be within arms’ reach, and children under 10 must be clearly and constantly visible and directly accessible.

Rule 2: Restrict access to water

It is illegal for pools and spas not to be fenced off.

• Private swimming pools and spas must have a childproof safety barrier.

• Empty water from baths, buckets and wading pools immediately after use.

• Watch children around fountains, eskies, fishponds and pet bowls. If you can’t empty the water, cover with a suitable material or put items away out of reach.

• Check your home regularly for water hazards that may need repairs, such as broken pipes or open drains.

Rule 3: Learn first aid and resuscitation

Parents or carers should do a first aid course to learn infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the case of an emergency.

• First aid skills should be updated every three years, and CPR skills annually.

Rule 4: Increase water awareness

Swimming and water safety lessons are recommended for all children.

• Build your child’s familiarity and confidence around water through aquatic play, setting rules and discussing water safety in a variety of locations.

Rule 5: Take the time to check your surroundings to reduce the risk of drowning or a life-changing injury.

Bath time

• Never leave a child under five alone in the bath and never leave older children or siblings to supervise.

• Let the water out as soon as bath time is over.

• Prevent scalds in the bathroom by reducing the water temperature of your hot water system to 50°C.

In the pool

• A pool fence or lifeguards at a public pool are not substitutes for supervision.

• Ensure that fencing complies with the appropriate standards. (The Victorian Building Authority lists the Victorian standards.) Gates should open outward away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-locking. Never prop open a pool gate – it is illegal to do this.

At the beach

• Beaches patrolled by lifesavers are the safest. Teach your child to swim between the red and yellow flags, which indicate the beach is patrolled by lifesavers.

• Supervise your children and look back at the beach regularly to ensure you are still between the flags while in the water.

• Teach your school-age children what to do if they are caught in a rip.

Inland waterways – lakes, rivers and dams

• Many drowning events occur in lakes, rivers or dams, sometimes after diving into shallow waters. Never dive into a body of water, and always check it’s OK to swim before entering, even if you have been there before – conditions change over time.

• Teach your child not to go near the dam, creek, river or lake without you.

• Teach children they should never swim in fast-flowing water – submerged objects like trees and branches may not be visible and can cause serious injury.

Key points to remeber

• Never leave a child alone around water. Always actively supervise children in, around and on water.

• Restrict access to all sources of water and empty baths, buckets and wading pools immediately after use.

• Learn first aid and CPR in case of an emergency situation.

• Build your child’s familiarity and confidence around water.

• Carefully check your local water environment and be aware of changing conditions.