The near drowning of a toddler this afternoon at Greenacre in NSW is a drastic reminder that water safety, particularly for 0-4 year olds is a year round concern.
Samuel Morris Foundation Managing Director, Michael Morris said “non-fatal drowning accidents take a great toll in terms of creating disability within our community. For every child that dies as a result of a drowning another four are admitted to hospital following near drownings and almost one quarter of these children will experience a brain injury that leaves them with disabilities for life”
Michael Morris, said “We should remember that around half of child drownings occur outside of the summer months, just because it is winter and backyard pools are not attractive to adults they are still attractive to children, and we need to remain vigilant about water safety and drowning prevention.”
Samuel Morris Foundation co-founder Jo-Ann Morris said “drowning and near drownings can have a devastating effect. One minute the child is normal and then the next the child may be dead or left severely disabled due to a brain injury from lack of oxygen, with the consequences lasting a life time and affecting the whole family and their community. It can take a family a very long time to adjust to a tragedy like this; unfortunately many marriages will not survive this amount of upheaval and trauma.”
Michael Morris said “events like this can also have a significant impact on siblings, extended family and friends and the broader community, particularly when they occur in smaller country towns where everyone knows everyone. These events also have a significant impact on the emergency services and hospital staff involved in resuscitation and critical care efforts.”
To help reduce the number of child drownings the Samuel Morris Foundation wishes to reinforce the four key drowning prevention messages.
- Supervision – always try to keep children at arms reach when in or around any water source
- Restricting Access – put a barrier around the water, and ensure that the barrier is correctly installed and well maintained. Barriers such as pool fencing are the last line of defense in preventing toddler drowning. Or create a fenced off safe play area adjacent to the house on larger rural properties.
- Water Familiarisation – help your child to be familiar with the water and associated risks and learn water survival skills by enrolling them in learn to swim classes
- Learn Resuscitation – if the unimaginable happens…. Parents or carers are usually the first to make the tragic discovery. Knowing CPR can be vital until professional help arrives, and may make the difference between life and death.
Michael Morris said changes to NSW Legislation have also recently come into force that require pool owners to conduct a safety inspection and to register their pool on the State’s swimming pool register. A failure to register your pool could result in a $220 fine or more severe penalties if you continue to fail to comply. These changes are directed at trying to prevent exactly the sort of tragedy that has unfolded today and we urge all pool owners to inspect and register their pools as soon as possible to help keep children in our community as safe as possible around back yard swimming pools.”
More information on the NSW Swimming Pool requirements can be found at NSW Swimming Pool Register website.
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