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Drowning is the most common cause of death for children under five years of age and the second most common cause for children aged 5 to 11 years.
On average, 12 children under five drown every year in Victoria – the majority of these tragedies occur in backyard swimming pools or spas. (1) In 1998, six toddlers drowned.(2) In 1999, three toddlers have drowned in October/November.
Many drownings occur during the summer holiday period when we are relaxing, letting down our guard and celebrating. If you are planning a party near a pool this summer, Kidsafe recommends that you consider the following safety tips:
- If you have a backyard swimming pool or spa, ensure that it has a safety barrier to restrict access by young children. If you are visiting a friend’s place, ask if there is a pool or spa and if it has a safety barrier.
- Never take your eyes off a child near water.
- Ensure that all gates, doors and windows leading to the pool area have self-latching devices that are working properly and never prop open the gate.
- Have your celebrations away outside the pool fence away from the danger.
- If children are permitted to swim at the party, closely supervise your young children in and near the water. Do not expect older children to look after toddlers.
- Plan ahead with your partner and decide who will be the non-drinker to supervise the young children and to also drive home.
- In the event of an emergency, take the child with you to telephone the ambulance. Listen carefully to the instructions on what to do until the ambulance arrives. Check the white pages for resuscitation information.
- Learn how to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) - to book a free lesson call 1800 77 2001, the Department of Human Service's CPR Key to
Survival line.
(1) Research Centre for Injury Studies. Website data request: Child Drowning Deaths Victoria 1979-1997. National Injury Surveillance Unit: Adelaide. www.nisu.flinders.edu.au
(2) Royal Life Saving Society 1999. National drowning report 1998.
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