Published 9th November 2021
Royal Life Saving is asking all parents to be especially vigilant of children around the water this summer and to Keep Watch at all times. Drowning in children is quick and silent but it can be prevented.
Our new research shows 532 children aged four and under drowned in the past 19 years. It also shows that a child’s risk of drowning triples after their first birthday; 40 per cent of children were just one year old when they drowned.
For every fatal drowning in this age group, eight children are admitted to hospital following a non-fatal drowning. Some will sustain life-long brain injuries.
We know summer is when young children are most at risk. Swimming pools were the leading location for drowning among children, accounting for more than half of all deaths (52%). Accidental falls into water were the leading activity prior to drowning (77%). In almost all of these deaths, the child was not being supervised by an adult when they entered the water.
The Keep Watch Campaign recommends four simple safety tips to prevent drowning:
- Supervise. Actively supervise children around water
- Restrict. Restrict children’s access to water
- Teach. Teach children water safety skills
- Respond. Learn how to respond in the case of an emergency
This year has been challenging for parents and carers who are juggling so much. Around the water you can’t multitask and just check that email - actively supervising children needs your complete attention and you need to be within arm’s reach.
Please check your pool fence and gate to make sure they are in working order. If supervision fails, a functioning pool fence and gate is the next line of defence working to keep your child safe from drowning.
Kids can’t help themselves around water, you need to. Keep Watch.
For more information about the Keep Watch program please click here
