Due for Immediate Release: Tuesday 13th November 2007

35 toddlers drowned in 2006-07 financial year. Royal Life Saving reminds parents to Keep Watch and prevent their child from drowning

The 2007 National Drowning Report revealed that 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives tragically through drowning in the financial year ending 30 June 2007. This is a small improvement of 5.5% on the five year average but in targeting zero child drowning Royal Life Saving is reminding parents and carers of some simple strategies or actions that may save their child's life. Put simply Keep Watch and prevent your child from drowning.

"Whilst there was a small improvement in the 0-4 age group, 35 infants and toddlers lost their lives tragically through drowning. These preventable drowning deaths have a devastating impact on the families and friends of the children lost. We need to continue to remind parents and carers of the importance of Keep Watch.", said Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley.

The swimming pool remains the number one location of drowning deaths for children under five with nearly half or 15 of the 35 drowning deaths occurring in a backyard pool. "The Keep Watch campaign reminds backyard pool owners of the importance of restricting a child's access to the pool area with appropriate pool fencing, self closing and self latching gates, and constantly supervising children when they are in, on or around the pool," said Mr Bradley.

Of further concern to Royal Life Saving is the slight increase in bathtub related drowning with 6 drowning deaths in the 0-4 year age group in the past year. "Parents mistakenly believe they can listen out and will hear their child drowning. Drowning is swift and silent, it is not generally accompanied by children crying out or splashing," said Mr Bradley. Royal Life Saving reminds parents to never leave children alone in the bath, take everything you may need with you and always empty the bath before leaving the bathroom.

Drowning deaths of infants and toddlers are not limited to city areas, and regional Australia is reminded to be vigilant. Water bodies such as dams, rivers, water troughs and irrigation channels have been common locations for drowning tragedies. People on rural properties should ensure that there is a fenced safe play area to protect children from water bodies; ensure wells and tanks are covered, and designate someone to Keep Watch over children, particularly during the busy work periods of mustering or harvesting.

The Keep Watch campaign encourages parents to take their children to water familiarisation classes or water play at their local aquatic facility as it is a great way of enjoying water safely with their children. The recently launched Keep Watch @ Public Pools program reminds parents that lifeguards are not babysitters and parents must maintain constant supervision.

The Keep Watch campaign continues to look for innovative ways to get these important actions to parents and carers. Eliminating drowning in backyard pools remains Royal Life Saving's major priority and new strategies are being developed to ensure pool owners are aware of the Keep Watch campaign and take action to reduce the risk of drowning.

Royal Life Saving announced PoolWerx as the major sponsor of Keep Watch for the next three years. "The PoolWerx sponsorship of Keep Watch is a very important one because the 250 PoolWerx franchises will help to get the Keep Watch message and literature directly into the hands of the home pool owner while they are on-site providing their top quality pool maintenance and enhancement," said Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley.

"While 35 deaths are far too many, this result represents a reduction of 47% (66 to 35) in drowning deaths from its recent peak in 1999/00 and now with the help of PoolWerx, Royal Life Saving hopes to quickly reduce the incidence of infant and toddler drowning through education. This exciting new partnership will help us save lives," said Rob Bradley, "We aim to achieve zero backyard pool drowning within 3 years."

PoolWerx Corporation CEO, John O'Brien added "In targeting Australian backyard pools as safe, healthy swimming environments, it means we can contribute not only dollars, but also experience and expertise from our National network.  If we can help save the life of just one little one - well, how do you put a price on that?"

"It is the responsibility of all pool owners to ensure their pool meets Government safety requirements. Backyard pools are required to be fenced, and the gates must be self closing and self latching, not only to protect the home occupiers but also to protect those invited or uninvited guests," said Rob Bradley.

2007 National Drowning Report clearly and accurately illustrates that drowning deaths of young children continues to be a major issue for the Australian community. The message from Royal Life Saving is to Keep Watch.

Young children need to be supervised constantly (within arms' reach) whenever they are in, on or near water.
Restricting a young child's access to water either by putting a barrier around the water or around the child is also effective in preventing drowning deaths.
Undertaking water familiarisation with your child will help you to become aware of the dangers.
Learning resuscitation can help if an incident does occur.

QUICK FACTS as supplied by 2007 National Drowning Report:

35 young children 0-4 years drowned 2006-07 (13%) of all drowning deaths.
19 (54%) were males.
16 (46%) drowned in swimming pools of which 15 were home pools.
6 (17%) drowned in bathtubs.
23 (66%) fell or wandered into water prior to drowning.

For further information and fact sheets please visit: www.keepwatch.com.au

Information for the 2007 National Drowning Report is primarily collected from the National Coroners Information System (NCIS) and media reports.

For further information, or to arrange an interview please contact:

Emma Lipscombe
Media Officer
Ph: 02 8217 3133 Mob: 0434 562 307

Or

Richard Franklin
National Manager-Research and Health Promotion
Mob: 0412 757 356