Inside the home

Active adult supervision at all times

According to drowning statistics, babies and toddlers are most at risk of drowning in their baths or in other water sources that are left out and about the home like unemptied buckets, baths and even the humble dog bowl has enough water in it to drown in.

To combat this issue constant active adult supervision is required at all times and within arms reach around all forms of water. It takes less than a minute for a child to drown.

Supervise, supervise, supervise

If you are in a group decide who will be the 'active supervisor' who is in charge of watching the children. Make sure the supervisor is older than 18 so they can focus on the task.

Also draw up a roster and plan for various people to take over if you are in a water environment for any length of time.

Also, do not rely on older children to supervise younger ones in, on or around water. They don't have the concentration of an adult nor do they have the skills to judge potential hazards.

Constant active adult supervision is required at all times.

Some helpful hints

When using a bucket or tub immediately empty it. If you need to soak something do it out of reach of the child and make sure it has a tight-fitting lid

Turn anything that can collect rainwater over and empty the paddling pool or water play vessel immediately
Don't fill your dog bowl up too much. Use a smaller one and refill it often
Empty baths, basins and tubs immediately
Shut doors to bathrooms to restrict access to water sources
Active supervision at all times - you know your child is up to something when all is quiet. Think about what your child is doing all the time and keep an eye out for any quiet periods where they might be up to something
When visiting other people's homes do a scan of their environment. If they have large tubs or containers that are filled with water ask nicely if the door can be shut or they can be emptied. Make sure spa's have a barrier such as a door or fence that stops your child getting near them. Spa's also need to have a lockable lid as per building regulations contained in the Building Code. Read more here. If you explain that you are being water-wise I am sure that the homeowner won't mind