Leading safety agencies Kidsafe Victoria, Life Saving Victoria, and Farmsafe Australia have urged regional families to set up safe play areas and actively supervise children around water, in a bid to reduce the number of drowning incidents on farms.
The call comes during National Farm Safety Week 2024 which runs from 14-20 July.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of child deaths on farms.
According to the latest statistics from the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s National Drowning Report, 26% of toddler (0-4 years) drownings in 2022/23 occurred in inland waterways such as lakes, dams, rivers, and creeks.
That figure rose to 43% in the 5-14 year age group.
Farm water safety tips
• Make sure children are actively always supervised by an adult when in or around water. For toddlers, this means having an adult within arm’s reach.
• Set up a safe play area away from water hazards such as dams. The play area should be securely fenced, located close to the house, and equipped with adequate shade, as well as a range of fun and engaging activities for children.
• Enrol children in learn to swim classes.
• Ensure that water storage areas, such as wells and tanks, are securely covered.
• Where practical, remove items floating in dams that may attract children into the water.
• Dress children in brightly coloured clothing to help them be seen when on farms.
• Fill in unused holes where water can gather, such as ditches, dips, and post holes.
• Learn CPR and regularly update your skills.
For more information on farm safety and the Hunter Boyle Children’s Swim Program, please visit www.kidsafevic.com.au
Image: https://pixabay.com/photos/water-waves-surface-texture-8200502/
