The Minister for Police and Emergency Services, the Hon.Kim Wells was at the launch of the Victorian Government's Play it Safe by the Water campaign where the Kidsafe online Home Water Safety Audit tool was released.

Official Launch of the Play it Safe by the Water campaign this morning

Left: Helen Cunningham, Maternal and Child Health nurse; Erica Edmands, President, Kidsafe Victoria;
Alicia Loxley, Nine Network with Archie, and the Hon. Kim Wells, Minister for Police and Emergency Services. 

Melanie Courtney, Kidsafe Victoria CEO, highlighted the seriousness of water safety for children saying that in 2012/13, 31 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned, with many of these occurring in the home environment.

"Whilst there is a strong focus on the safety of children around backyard swimming pools, there are also a number of other water dangers in and around the home", said Ms Courtney.

"Children can drown in as little as a few centimetres of water and therefore, buckets filled with water (e.g. mop buckets or buckets collecting rainwater), portable/toddler wading pools, ponds, baths and even pets drinking bowls can all pose a drowning hazard."

"The online home water safety audit will assist parents and carers to identify water safety hazards around their homes in as little as a few minutes," said Ms Courtney.

 
Erica Edmands, President, Kidsafe Victoria speaks about the
Kidsafe Home Water Safety Audit

Kidsafe Victoria are encouraging all parents and carers to log on, register and complete the home water safety audit via http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/water-safety-audit

The online home water safety audit has been launched as part of a range of water safety programs supported by the Victorian Government's Play it Safe by the Water campaign. Another initiative, the 'Mother Duck' project will see 30,000 duck families branded with water safety messages distributed to parents and carers at their child's 12 month Key Ages and Stages Maternal and Child Health visit over the next 6 months.

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Kidsafe Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201

Background
Home Water Safety Audit:
Upon registering and completing a series of questions about the home environment, the online water safety audit provides the user with a series of tailored 'action items' to conduct in order to improve water safety around their home.

Links - to spread the water safety message Kidsafe Victoria is encouraging both the private and public sector to link to the Water Safety Audit Tool for their staff and customers.