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

- - lovi said
  - 23 Jun 2013
    12:39 pm
Don’t forget the toilet!!!!

- - zowieh said
  - 22 Jun 2013
    10:07 pm
I always worry about water with my son, its like he is attracted to it

- - jodie80 said
  - 21 Jun 2013
    9:19 pm
I always worry about my kiddies near water.
Swimming lessons are a must,

- - lynzstevo said
  - 21 Jun 2013
    4:53 pm
Have heard of babies/ toddlers drowning in buckets and bins full of water. I’m always so careful about vessels filled with water around my yard.

- - lovi said
  - 19 Jun 2013
    1:47 pm
In the country don’t forget drains and irrigating ditches – I know a woman who lost her lil girl in an irrigating ditch that wasn’t covered.

- - becsen84 said
  - 31 May 2013
    1:21 pm
Yep, thanks for the list. I empty the baths and keep all tubs of water high if needed or competely empty. I also think getting kids starting to swim early and learn not to panic in the water can help them if they find themselves in a difficult situation.

- - cairnsy77@gmail.com said
  - 31 May 2013
    10:02 am
you dont realise how many dangers are outside until you have small kids around

- - katelt said
  - 27 May 2013
    2:57 pm
it is amazing how many potential disasters there are around the house

- - tobysmummy said
  - 20 May 2013
    8:36 pm
We have a dam on our property, which is a great source of stress for me :(( I’m so paranoid that my toddler will get outside without me and find it.

- - tobysmummy said
  - 20 May 2013
    8:34 pm
So many water hazards that you don’t even think about!

- - smiles said
  - 16 May 2013
    10:46 pm
I actually have a lock on the laundry door as it has so many hazards for kids in there. Water detergents, sprays etc.

- - sallty said
  - 10 May 2013
    10:26 am
Great reminder. Its scary how often your read in the paper that a toddler or a baby has drowned in a tiny bucket or water or in their bath.

- - mouse said
  - 09 May 2013
    1:39 pm
Great information Thank you, too many young ones drown unnecessarily

- - sapshu936 said
  - 09 May 2013
    12:02 pm
Thanks for sharing this wonderful information. It will be very helpful…

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 05 May 2013
    3:08 pm
Some very important points made

- - smiles said
  - 02 May 2013
    8:32 pm
It only takes a small amount of water .I know when I had my first baby and was told that toddlers could drown in dog bowls I was astounded!

- - snoopy said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    11:22 pm
A bad one is at bath times it doesn’t seem to matter how many times the kids are told, they still stand up in the bath. We have had a nice bruise from that. Lucky that’s all we got.

- - snoopy said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    11:20 pm
Grandma filled the fishpond in at her house after we had our first child because of the dangers of drowning.

- - kwolfert said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    10:06 am
so many kids dye through drowning such a great article thank you

- - Highfive said
  - 30 Apr 2013
    9:49 am
water hazzard in my house arent os much about drowning then slipping over. a knock to the head on the tiles can be just as dangerous