Media Release
|
|
Monday, 28 September 2015 12:32
Matt Welsh, one of Australia's decorated swimming champions and a father of three young children, has urged the owners of over 1.2 million backyard swimming pools in Australia to 'Close the Gate on Backyard Pool Drowning' this summer.
Matt Welsh with his children Eve, Lola and Sam at the launch this morning.
Drowning
is one of the leading causes of death for Australian children under 5 years of
age. In 2014/15, 26 Australian children aged 0-4 years drowned, an increase of
30% from 2013/14.
Backyard swimming pools are the most common location
where toddler drowning incidents occur. In 2014/15, over half of all toddler drowning
incidents in Australia occurred in a backyard pool (14 incidents - 54%).
The
'Closing the Gate' campaign calls on pool owners to check the safety of their
pool barriers and gates at the beginning of daylight saving on Sunday 4th October
2015, in the lead up to the warmer months.
Launching Kidsafe's 'Closing
the Gate' campaign in Melbourne today, Matt Welsh highlighted the importance of
active adult supervision of children and having a compliant pool safety barrier,
in helping to keep children safe in and around water.
"Today we are urging
all swimming pool owners to take action over the next seven days to check the
safety of their pool barriers, gates and surrounding areas and importantly to
immediately repair any faults, to help ensure that their pool and spa areas are
safe."
"Children drown quickly and silently. Along with a compliant pool barrier,
it is important that children are always actively supervised by an adult when
around water to help keep them safe. For toddlers, this means an adult being within
arm's reach at all times", said Mr Welsh.
Kidsafe Victoria Vice President,
Robert Caulfield, said, "Studies have shown pool fencing, particularly isolation
fencing, to be effective in reducing the risk of drowning. However, evidence suggests
that a large number of child drowning incidents occur as a result of pool fencing
that is faulty or non-compliant with Australian Standards."
"All pool and
spa barriers will experience exposure to extremes of weather and wear and tear
over time including rust, missing bolts or screws and damage. Therefore it is
important that they are regularly checked and maintained", said Mr Caulfield.
The campaign calls for all pool and spa owners to visit http://www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/pool-fence-safety and utilise the online resources, including the home pool safety assessment tool developed by Life Saving Victoria, to check the safety of their pool areas.
This includes common pool barrier faults/non-compliance issues such as:
The campaign forms part of the Victorian State Government's 'Play it Safe by the Water Campaign' and is supported by the following partners:
Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Kidsafe Victoria - Mobile: 0417 329 201