CHILD DROWNINGS MOST LIKELY IN BACKYARD POOLS

For a community to lose even one child is a tragedy yet in 2008/09, 10 children drowned in NSW. The 2009 NSW Drowning Report released today, showed that this year, 70 per cent of children under five who drowned lost their lives in a backyard swimming pool.

To prevent toddlers from drowning this summer, Royal Life Saving and the NSW Government today launched the new Home Pool Safety in a Box to encourage more home pool owners to learn CPR.  They also called for increased parental awareness and greater emphasis on swimming and water safety education.

"The message doesn't seem to be getting through to pool owners that it is vital to check and maintain pool fences all year around to protect young children from drowning in backyard pools," said David Macallister, CEO Royal Life Saving NSW.

Minister for Community Services Linda Burney said the new resource, sponsored by the NSW Government, provides a range of strategies and helpful tools to prevent child drownings.

"Home Pool Safety in a Box has Keep Watch strategies to protect children around the pool including supervision, resuscitation, water familiarisation and fencing," she said.

"The box contains a DVD that allows you to learn CPR in under 30 minutes using the 'Mini-Anne CPR Manikin'.  There is also a checklist to help you check, fix and maintain your pool fence and a booklet with informative and practical information to keep children safe around water.

"The NSW Government will also be sending information to childcare centres to encourage more parents to learn CPR."

"A recent report by the Children's Hospital at Westmead highlighted that only one in ten people know how to perform CPR. Furthermore,studies have also shown that bystanders performing CPR on children can more than triple survival rates.  By learning some basic life saving skills such as CPR you can save a life," said Mr Macallister.

Ms Burney said her favourite item in the box is the bright red and yellow broad brimmed hat to be worn by a responsible adult when supervising children in or around water.

"During summer people socialise around pools and may forget about the risks for young children. It's easy to become distracted, especially when alcohol is involved. That's why it is important to make sure at least one adult is responsible for watching children at all times," she said.

Belinda and Shaun Hedley know how important it is to maintain your pool fence and learn CPR.  In 2007, their two-year-old twins, Braith and Seth were found in the middle of the pool, unconscious and blue. The couple performed CPR on the boys and saved their lives.

"Even if you don't have children living in your home, there may be kids living nearby or grandchildren or friends with children who drop around unexpectedly. Home Pool Safety in a Box makes it easy for you to learn CPR in the comfort of your own home, and provides a simple checklist for you to check, fix and maintain your pool fence," Belinda said.

The NSW Government recently moved to improve pool fencing standards. The laws remove automatic exemptions from four sided barriers for new pools on large, very small, and waterfront properties and increase penalties for failing to have a complying pool fence.

For More information on Home Pool Safety in a Box, visit: http://www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/2395-home-pool-safety-in-a-box.asp

For more information on the 2009 NSW Drowning Report 
http://www.royallifesaving.com.au/www/html/2399-2009-nsw-drowning-report.asp