By: Georgia Free
We are well into summer – and in Australia, it means a lot of time by the pool! But new research shows that we are becoming quite lax with pool safety.
Kids Alive Operation Director, Emma Lawrence spoke to us about Check Your Pool Gate Month – to share some tips on gate safety, supervision and pool party etiquette.
Gate safety
“All Australians love being around the pool…but this MagnaLatch Pool Safety Report shows that 55 per cent of pool owners admit to propping open their pool gate,” Emma said.
Emma encouraged all pool owners to check if their gates were self-latching or self-closing – and if they weren’t, to get them fixed immediately.
Supervision is key
Emma also reiterated how crucial supervising children in pools is – especially young ones.
“Supervision is number one,” Emma urged.
Almost 50 per cent of Australians have admitted to leaving their kids unsupervised in the pool – even briefly to get a towel or drink – which Emma warned against.
“Drowning is silent, and it happens really quickly,” Emma said. “So you have to be in a position to respond.
“Children under five need to be within arms reach. And with older kids, you should still be at the side of the pool.”
Additionally, Emma said that having a responsible adult dedicated to supervision during pool parties and family gatherings is important.
“When there’s a lot of parents around, sometimes you think that someone else is watching the pool,” Emma said. “Don’t confuse who that adult supervisor is. We want it to be fun, but we also want it to be safe.”
For more resources on pool safety, visit the Check Your Pool Gate website. For educational resources, visit the Kids Alive website and Spotify channel.
Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.
Feature image: Photo by José Casado on Unsplash
About the Author: Georgia Free is a broadcaster and writer from Sydney, Australia.