More kids drowning in pools in Qld: report

QUEENSLANDERS’ love of a backyard swimming pool is killing our kids.

In a heartbreaking record, more children aged four or under drowned in Queensland than any other state last year.

Hotter summers are driving more people into the water, dramatically increasing the number of deaths, according to the Royal Life Saving Australia National Drowning Report released in Canberra yesterday.

There has been an increase in drownings in the sunshine state, with 64 people losing their lives in the water in 2018-19. It included nine children under four who drowned in Queensland, compared with five in NSW and three in Victoria.

Royal Life Saving Australia boss Justin Scarr said the high number of pools in the state contributed to the statistic.

“Queensland has had to work much harder than any other state. Queenslanders love a backyard swimming pool and this poses significant risks to young children,” he said.

“Checking and maintaining the pool gate is vitally important, as is close supervision of children around water.”

Sports Minister Richard Colbeck said he would be willing to work with the State Government to address the deaths.

“It shows the importance of maintaining a focus on children being able to look after themselves in a water-based environment,” he said.

“We will continue to talk to the State Government about the programs they have in place and work cooperatively to have everything we need in place to ensure the safety of our children.”

Last year, News Corp secured state and federal funding for swimming and survival skills to be taught at all schools.

Swim coach Laurie Lawrence said more importance needed to be placed on the value of swimming lessons for children under the age of five.

“Boys can go over a fence quicker than they can look at you,” he said.