Keep Watch to help keep children safe
TOOWOOMBA Regional Council is urging parents to keep watch over their children around water this summer.
As an added safety reminder, the council has launched the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s bright yellow Keep Watch wristbands that will be used in all the council aquatic centres.
Single use wrist bands will be provided to families when they enter the aquatic facilities.
Community development and facilities portfolio leader Cr Geoff McDonald said it was a way to remind parents and caregivers that constant supervision was required for children five and under.
An initiative of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia, the Keep Watch at Public Pools program aims to eliminate all drowning deaths and reduce the number of near drowning incidents in the pool.
“Distractions like answering the phone, attending to another child, or ducking inside to grab something can have tragic consequences if a toddler is left unattended by water,” Cr McDonald said.
“The yellow bands will be worn by the child to remind parents and guardians they need to be in the water at all times with their child and within an arm’s reach.”
A 2017 report showed 291 people died as result of drowning in Australia in the 2016/17 financial year, a 3% increase on the 282 drowning deaths recorded in 2015/16.