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Water safety expert Laurie Lawrence is calling on parents to remain vigilant about water safety during Winter, especially with COVID-19 interrupting learn-to-swim lessons.

“Last year 37 Aussies lost their lives in drowning incidents over the cooler months and with most swim schools still closed or with limited access presently, we are concerned about the impact to come in the peak swimming season,” the Kids Alive Founder said.

“With everything that has been going on its easy for parents to forget about water safety, especially as they haven’t been able to go to swimming lessons and get that consistent reminder,” he said.

“The reality is kids are curious about pools and other aquatic locations no matter the season, which is why pool surrounds need to be kept kid-safe, parents need to keep a constant watch on kids near water and those important safety messages need to be reinforced especially with the most vulnerable under 5’s,”

Restrictions associated with COVID-19 have meant Kids Alive have been unable to use traditional methods of teaching water safety via swim schools and early childhood centres, which has led to the development of an innovative online learning platform.

Kids Alive Couch Concerts

Kids Alive have released a series of virtual events, the Kids Alive ‘Couch Concert’ series, that aim to educate and entertain little ones and their families about important water safety messages.

“Winter is the perfect time to prepare for the swimming season and for families to learn more about how to be safe around water. We believe these events will help us reach a larger audience and keep water safety front of mind!”

Leading Cause Of Accidental Death

Laurie said drowning remained the number one leading cause of accidental death in Australian children under the age of five* and while the majority of these deaths occur in swimming pools, infants and young children also die in waterways, bathtubs, and spa baths.

“A recent report by Royal Life Saving Australia* showed that between 2008 and 2018, 26 children aged 0 to 4 years drowned in lakes, dams, and lagoons alone. That’s why it’s so important to get our message across to families in every location and our new online events will help do this.” he said.

The Kids Alive ‘Couch Concerts’ events have been designed to deliver water safety messages in a fun and innovative way and include dance concerts, puppet shows, craft videos, and book readings.

“Water is everywhere so we need to make sure kids and adults are aware of the dangers and best preventative measures. The ‘Couch Concerts’ will help people far and wide learn about water safety and location is not a restriction now to get to experience the Kids Alive message.”

More information about the online events is available at www.kidsalive.com.au and the Kids Alive Do the Five Facebook page.

*Taylor DH, Pidgeon S, Peden AE (2020).  A ten-year national review of lake, dam and lagoon drowning deaths: 2008/2009 to 2017/2018, Royal Life Saving Society – Australia. Sydney

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  • never let your guard down around water no matter what season it is

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  • Water safety is to be taken seriously. This is a good reminder not to be complacent

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  • Swim safety is a big thing in our family. I would always encourage my children to learn to swim and to swim safely. In saying that, I will always monitor my children in the pool no matter how advanced they are in swim skills

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  • Critical if you have a pool and you also need to be mindful for anyone who swims in your pool.

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  • It is so important to teach kids to swim. I am always on the watch when my kids are at the pool.

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  • A good reminder as the weather starts getting warmer too.

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  • This is so important

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  • Yes always remain complacent around water ! I’m thankful my youngest started swimming lessons again, she desperately needs it.

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  • Never ever be complacent around water. Supervision is a must and safety is a must and vigilance is essential.

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  • We are currently stop our swimming lessons for kids. But this is always in my mind.

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  • A great reminder to ALWAYS be aware around water.


    • Exactly! care in every season – every day and all year long!

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  • This is one area being affected by covid that I hadn’t thought of. It’s a great initiative to keep the message active in our children’s and parent’s minds :)

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  • This is a brilliant idea and hopefully it will go a way to keep kids and adults water safe

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  • So important that we stay alert when with kids near water. This is a great article reminding parents about the dangers near water. Let’s keep all of our kids safe.

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  • It’s always good for an extra reminder to stay vigilant about water safety. Can never be too careful in and around water

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  • Thx for sharing ..i need to look for some swimming school

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  • I wanted to get my daughter into swimming lessons from a few months old… she’s almost 1 and a half now, oops. Better start before summer comes. Not that we go near pools but she is a dare devil and it would make me feel better about it

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  • I’m so glad swimming lessons are on again. My 6yr old has Down Syndrome, can’t swim very well and is the biggest dare devil evil.

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  • I think I’ll be giving my kids swimming lessons too

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  • We have been doing “swimming lessons” in the bath While we havnt had access to swimming lessons. But we are so glad to be back doing swimming lessons now thankfully.

    Reply

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