Water Hazards around the Home

With summer upon us we as parents must be diligent with our babies and children around the water. It only takes a few centimeters for a young child to drown. We must be constantly “on guard” near water around the home and not leave temptations lying around.

Babies and young children are inquisitive by nature and this can put them in danger.

Have you thought about the drowning hazards around your home? It is worthwhile spending time going around your place on your hands and knees to see it from your child’s level. This is also a great way to look for dangers other than water.

The most obvious hazard people think about is the pool. Does the gate close properly? Are the fences secured? Are there any pots or chairs etc that they could stand on the climb or open the gate? Don’t leave balls or toys floating in the pool as young children will find it difficult to resist the temptation of these.

Other dangers around the outside of a home could include, buckets of water, dog bowls, holes dug in the garden filled up by rain.

On the inside think about nappy buckets, toilet bowls and the bath. Always empty the bath before you take your child out, to prevent you being sidetracked before getting back to it.

So precious are our children we must protect them as they live unaware of the dangers surrounding them. Innocence is bliss but knowledge is power.

Cheers,

Kylie

97 Comments

- - kali111 said
  - 27 Aug 2013
    1:30 pm
Now the dangers of accidents of the bodily kind in bath, it always happens to my little ones in the bath!

- - missangela said
  - 25 Aug 2013
    11:18 am
Me to when I hear of a child drowning my heart just sinks.
- kjgarner replied
  
  12 Sep 2013 , 2:48 pm
  Its a really sad thing
  - jocelynwong31 replied
    
    22 Sep 2013 , 2:28 pm
    
    My neighbour’s 2yo son played in a water urn that is only about 50cm tall. He was out of sight for a mere 3 mins
- - sunava said
  - 23 Aug 2013
    6:02 pm
i hope we dont hear more drowning stories this summer , drowning of kids is heartbreaking

- - kymichelle said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    2:58 pm
It’s so sad that so many drowning’s happen every year. I hope this Summer there are no child drownings in Australia – wouldn’t that be fantastic?

- - tahlia w said
  - 15 Aug 2013
    11:26 pm
Didn’t think about the dog bowl… :S

- - vicky_guillaumier said
  - 04 Aug 2013
    8:17 pm
An old friend of the family lost her child in a backyard drowning. This was long before pool fences were introduced.
- earthlydelites replied
  
  07 Aug 2013 , 2:42 pm
  how terrible. that poor family. I think drowning deaths and accidents are some of the worst, because its all about being vigilant and safe.
- - yyon4699 said
  - 31 Jul 2013
    4:48 pm
Pool…love it and terrified of it at the same time…especially with young chiidren at home…

- - solere04 said
  - 15 Jul 2013
    8:04 am
I never want a house with young kids and a pool! Scares me to tears!
- a-edwards replied
  
  31 Jul 2013 , 7:45 pm
  I nearly bought a house with a pool but it did not have proper fencing so I pulled out
- - rachkap said
  - 15 Jul 2013
    2:52 am
This demonstrates the importance of learning to swim as soon as possible!

- - tammykilby said
  - 12 Jul 2013
    10:43 pm
yep i always get scared when my kids r around the pool.. worrys me a bit.
- a-edwards replied
  
  31 Jul 2013 , 8:47 pm
  Fair call . If they can’t swim it’s like death sitting there
- - jenny9761 said
  - 12 Jul 2013
    5:59 pm
Living in the country I worry about waterholes around the place
- rachkap replied
  
  31 Jul 2013 , 3:53 am
  Yes because I guess there is no laws to put fences up around water holes.
- - freeone1 said
  - 12 Jul 2013
    2:09 pm
the pool always worries me I check then check again also I always put the bath plug out of reach and nappy buckets in the trough and pets water out of reach, you can never be to safe,

- - a-edwards said
  - 10 Jul 2013
    10:17 am
yep kids and water scares me to.

- - earthlydelites said
  - 09 Jul 2013
    10:51 am
only takes a couple of CM’s to get into trouble so this is very good information and I’ll keep it handy!

- - lovi said
  - 01 Jul 2013
    12:23 am
This is sooo important !!!

- - jodie80 said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    6:25 pm
I am so careful with things like this. Only takes seconds for little one to get into trouble.

- - lynzstevo said
  - 30 Jun 2013
    4:46 pm
So many drowning dangers can be found around the home, its important for parents to be very vigilant when checking their property

- - meros said
  - 27 Jun 2013
    6:34 pm
No pool at our place but there are always things to think about my son was playing outside, never occurred to me but the wheelbarrow was left outside, that filled with rainwater. He kept going there when I realised it had water. There are things that aren’t so obvious that we really need to be careful for.

- - jaymarie12 said
  - 27 Jun 2013
    6:01 pm
We live on river flats so I will have to keep a big eye on my children as they get older

- - dannielle japp said
  - 24 Jun 2013
    4:35 am
water always scares me with my son but keeping an eye on them is the key