The 2009 National Drowning report compiled by Royal Life Saving Australia was released today by the Honourable Kate Ellis, Federal Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth and Minister for sport, at Parliament House in Canberra. The Samuel Morris Foundation was represented at the launch by Michael.
The report contains some shocking statistics, in the last year 32 children aged 0-4 lost their lives to drowning. This means that around 125 children were admitted to hosptial and 28 of those children were left with a brain injury that will result in disabilities for life.
Shockingly 60% of the drowning deaths occurred in backyard swimming pools. This is shocking because it is the one area were immediate legislative or regulatory action by government at all levels could make a significant difference. If you want to see how this could happen see our reports to the NSW and Qld government reviews. Take into consideration that the NSW review has been ongoing for several years.
What can you do to make sure it doesn’t happen in your pool…. follow the keep watch guidelines, download the home pool safety checksheet and make this weekend your home pool safety weekend.
If you want another reason… read this
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