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Kids Health Info

Safety: In and around water

  • Translated resources

    Water safety information is available in 11 community languages.

    Please note: the information in these translated files is not an exact translation of this page.


    Key points to remember

    • Never leave a child alone around water. Always watch children in, around and on water.
    • A child can drown within 20 seconds, and a drowning child may make no noise or splash.
    • Restrict access to all water sources – from large pools to small ponds.
    • Empty baths, buckets and paddling pools immediately after use.
    • Learn child first aid and CPR to help your family in an emergency.
    • Build your child’s knowledge of and confidence around water.
    • Learn the water hazards around your home and backyard.
    • Call an ambulance (000) in a drowning or near-drowning emergency.

    The importance of water safety

    Water play is a fun activity for children with many benefits – from developing their motor skills to exploring their senses. However, playing with water comes with risks. Drowning is a leading cause of death for Australian children; it only takes 20 seconds and a few centimetres of water for a child to drown. Babies and toddlers are at a higher risk of drowning as they do not understand the dangers of water and are top-heavy, so they cannot always lift themselves out of water when they fall – no matter how shallow it is.

    Near drownings, also known as ‘non-fatal drownings’, can have serious consequences and lead to permanent injuries.

    Basic rules of water safety

    Following these four simple safety rules will help you keep children safe around water. 

    Rule one:Constant active supervision

    Always supervise your child in, on or around water.

    • Practice constant active supervision – this means focusing your full attention on your child and always keeping your eyes on them, not just glancing at them occasionally.
    • Always watch your child in the water, even if they can swim. You must be able to reach children under five at all times and see children under 10 at all times.
    • Avoid all distractions while your child is in, on, or around water. This means not using a phone or answering the door.
    • Do not leave older children (under age of 16) to supervise younger siblings.

    Rule two:Restrict access to water

    Limit access to water and follow all laws around pool and spa access. All pools and spas in Australia must legally have a childproof safety barrier like a fence.

    • Empty water from baths, buckets and paddling pools immediately after use.
    • If you have a pool or spa, make sure your fencing complies with Australian Standard AS1926.
    • Always watch children around other water sources such as fountains, eskies, fish bowls and pet bowls. If you cannot empty the water, cover it with a sturdy material, put items out of reach or make sure your child cannot access the water on their own.
    • Check your home regularly for water hazards that may need repairs, like broken pipes or open drains.

    Rule three:Learn what to do in an emergency

    All parents and carers should know what to do in a water emergency.

    • Complete a first aid course to learn infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in case of an emergency.
    • Update your first aid skills every three years and CPR skills annually.
    • Call an ambulance (000) in a drowning or near-drowning emergency.

    Rule four:Increase water awareness

    Teach your child the importance of water safety.

    • Enrol your child in swimming and water safety lessons.
    • Set rules with your child about when and how they can play with water.
    • Build your child’s knowledge and confidence around water through play and discussions.

    Water safety in different environments

    In the bath time

    • Always actively watch children under five in the bath and never leave older children or siblings to supervise.
    • Stay within arms’ reach of your child – even when using a bath seat or cradle.
    • Drain the water as soon as your child is out of the bath.
    • Never leave your child unattended in the bath, even for a moment.
    • Ignore all distractions during bath time, such as phone calls or the doorbell.
    • Run cold water with hot water to get a safe water temperature, between 37–38 degrees Celsius, and stay with your child at all times while the bath is filling up.
    • Keep bathroom and laundry doors closed when you are not using them.

    At the beach

    • Actively supervise your child at the beach – both on the sand and in the water. You must be able to reach children under five at all times and see children under 10 at all time.
    • The safest beaches are those patrolled by lifesavers. In Australia, teach your child to swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches – this is the safest part of the wate
    • While in the water with your child, regularly look back at the beach to ensure you are still between the flags.
    • Pay attention to warning signs and read about any risks, such as rip currents or dumping waves.
    • Teach your child what to do if they get in trouble: stay calm, float on their back and raise an arm to signal for help.
    • Make sure your child wears a lifejacket while on a boat.

    Around a pool

    • Always watch your child in, on or around pools – even if a lifeguard is on duty at a public pool.You must be able to reach children under five at all times and see children under 10 at all time.
    • Only go out of your depth when in the water with your child if you are a strong swimmer.
    • Remove objects like chairs and pot plants from pool areas that someone could use to climb over the fence.
    • Check inflatable pool toys for leaks before use.
    • Always deflate pool toys and store them safely when not in use; never leave them in the pool.
    • If you leave the pool area, even for a moment, take your child with you – never leave them unattended in the pool.

    By a lake or river

    • Lakes, rivers and inland waterways can be unpredictable; always supervise your child when swimming in these areas.
    • Always check it is okay to swim before allowing your child in the water – even if you have swum there before.
    • Never let your child dive into a body of water, as it may not be deep enough.
    • Set rules with your child not to go near inland waterways without you or another adult.
    • Teach your child not to swim in fast-flowing water. Objects like trees and branches may not be visible under the surface and can cause serious injury.

    Common questions about water safety

    Are bath toys safe for my child to play with?

    Bath toys that are hollow or have holes for water can become mouldy over time. Younger children who chew on toys or drink bath water may become sick from bacteria trapped inside them, so it is best if your child only plays with sealed bath toys that donot trap water. Alternatively, empty and dry hollow bath toys before storing them out of water after use.

    What are the rules for children wearing lifejackets on boats?

    Different Australian states have different lifejacket laws. In Victoria, The Marine Safety Act states that everyone under 10 years old must wear a lifejacket at all times while in open areas of a boat. Ensure your child’s lifejacket fits properly, as they may slip out of an adult-sized jacket. Safe Transport Victoria does not recommend taking infants onboard recreational boats because lifejackets may not be effective.

    Are there legal requirements for fencing dams on private property?

    Dams and fishponds in Victoria do not legally require barriers. However, farm owners are responsible for the safety of their dams. They must register them and, in some cases, get a license to operate them. Whether or not the law requires a barrier, fencing off bodies of water is the best way to prevent drowning. If you cannot fence off your dam, consider fencing off your yard and setting up allocated play areas away from water.

    There are lifeguards at the local pool and surf lifesavers at the beach where I take my child. Do I still need to learn first aid and CPR?

    Lifeguards and surf lifesavers are not substitutes for actively supervising your child at a public pool or beach. While lifeguards are specially trained in first aid and CPR, parents and caregivers should also learn first aid to address any injuries or emergencies. This means you will be able to help when lifeguards are not present – such as at private pools.

    For more information

    Developed by The Royal Children’s Trauma department. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.

    Reviewed December 2024

    Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.


Disclaimer

This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors of these consumer health information handouts have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed in these handouts. Information contained in the handouts is updated regularly and therefore you should always check you are referring to the most recent version of the handout. The onus is on you, the user, to ensure that you have downloaded the most up-to-date version of a consumer health information handout.