Published 11 November 2025

Royal Life Saving Australia is urging parents and carers to be prepared and always actively supervise young children around water, as the Keep Watch campaign launches ahead of summer.

Over the past decade (2015 – 2025), 183 children aged 0 – 4 years lost their lives to drowning in Australia, two-thirds (65%) in swimming pools. The majority occurred in a backyard swimming pool, where children often accessed the pool while unsupervised through a gate that had been propped open or not properly closed.

Drowning risk for young children peaks in the warmer months, with 35% occurring in summer. It is crucial that a responsible adult is always actively supervising children whenever they have access to water, including social gatherings.

Royal Life Saving Australia Chief Executive Officer, Dr Justin Scarr said, “It is vital parents keep constant watch and restrict access to water around the home.  Check that your pool fence and gate are in working order. If there is a lapse in supervision, a fence can save your child’s life.”

Accidental falls into water were the most common activity prior to drowning (72%), followed by bathing (19%). In that same period, 33 children drowned in bathtubs, with almost four in five (79%) younger than one year old.

Drowning is quick and silent. A momentary lapse of supervision can have tragic consequences. Mobile phones and social media can distract parents long enough for kids to enter a pool area unsupervised. Young children should never be left in the care of older siblings around water.

“Our urgent lifesaving message ahead of summer is, kids can’t help themselves around water, you need to. Keep Watch to ensure everyone enjoys the water safely,” said Dr Scarr.

Parents and carers are urged to follow the Keep Watch actions to prevent child drowning:

1. Supervise: Always keep children within arm’s reach around water.
2. Restrict: Ensure pool fences and gates are secure; never leave them propped open.
3. Teach: Help children develop water safety skills through play and swimming lessons.
4. Respond: Learn CPR and know what to do in an emergency.

For more information, visit www.royallifesaving.com.au/keepwatch

Notes to the editor

Royal Life Saving Australia’s Keep Watch public awareness and education campaign has been running for more than 25 years. For more information about Royal Life Saving Australia’s Keep Watch campaign, visit www.royallifesaving.com.au/keepwatch

Royal Life Saving and the Keep Watch Program is supported by the Australian Government.

For media enquiries, please contact Media Key on 0409 420 112 or 03 9769 6488.
Images and Broll can be found at: https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/mediaresources