In the leadup to summer, parents are being warned the risk of drowning triples after a child reaches the age of one.
Over the past 20 years, 222 one-year-olds have drowned, the equivalent of about 40 per cent of all drowning deaths for children aged under five, research by the Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSSA) found.
“As children become more mobile, they are curious and unpredictable. It is vital you keep constant watch and restrict access to water around the home,” RLSSA chief executive officer, Justin Scarr, said.
“It is vital you keep constant watch and restrict access to water around the home.”
The statistics from the RLSSA have been released ahead of summer starting next month, a critical time for child drownings.
Nearly 40 per cent of all deaths happen from December to February.
Between 2002 and 2022, a total of 549 children under five were killed in a swimming pool, with 85 per cent of deaths in a backyard pool.
Increased awareness about supervising young kids and tougher rules on pool fencing have resulted in a 60 per cent drop in drownings over the past 20 years.
But drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death for children aged 0 to 4.
Tragically, there are an average of 27 child drowning incidents every year, with one year olds accounting for 40 per cent of these deaths.
The RLSA is encouraging parents to supervise children around water, restrict access to water, teach children water safety skills and know how to respond in the case of an emergency.
A correctly installed fence can mean the difference between life and death for a young child.
“This is the time of year to check your pool fence and gate,” Starr said.
“It is important that pools gates are not propped open for any reason.”
(9 NEWS)
