Moncrieff Media
Drownings spike sparks renewed call for water safety
25 September 2009
A worrying spike in drownings in Australia has highlighted the need for Gold Coasters to be even more vigilant around water this summer, says local MP Steven Ciobo.
The National Drowning Report for 2009 showed 302 Australians drowned in the 2008/2009 year, 27 per cent of whom were in Queensland.
Attending the launch of The National Drowning Report 2009 in Canberra this month with Royal Life Saving Keep Watch Ambassador Samantha Riley and Uncle Toby’s Ambassador, Eamon Sullivan, Mr Ciobo said Coasters comparatively spent a lot of time in and around water and encouraged local parents to enrol their children in swimming lessons.
“Royal Life Saving’s Keep Watch initiative calls for increased parental supervision, a greater emphasis on swimming and water safety education and exercising extreme caution when swimming in rivers, lakes and dams,” Mr Ciobo said.
“Supervision is imperative in preventing childhood drowning. According to the report, of the 32 children under five who drowned this year, 60 per cent drowned in a backyard swimming pool.
“I urge all pool owners to use the free Home Pool Safety Weekend checklist supplied by Royal Life Saving and PoolWerx as part of the Keep Watch program.”
Of the 82 drowning deaths in Queensland in 08/09, 17 per cent were children under five years.
The three most common locations were rivers (28 per cent), ocean/harbour (26 per cent) and swimming pools (20 per cent).
Mr Ciobo also reminded the more mature to refresh their skills, because 31 per cent of all drowning deaths were in the 55-plus age group.
“I also encourage people to learn CPR and do regular refresher courses,” he said.
“I strongly believe education, swimming lessons and parental supervision are the key to reducing drownings in Queensland. Tougher pool-fencing laws will help, but let’s face it, at the end of the day a child can always climb over a pool fence.
“I urge parents not to rely solely on their pool fence to keep their children safe.”