KIDS LEFT ALONE AT WATER PARKS
PARENTS are using popular Townsville water attractions as child- minding services, dropping off their youngsters and relying on the supervision of lifeguards.
Townsville lifeguards have issued a stern reminder to parents about the need to supervise young children while they enjoy public spaces such as The Strand Water Park, Riverway Pool, the Rockpool and beaches.
Surf Life Saving Queensland Townsville supervisor Russell Blanchard said it was unreasonable for lifeguards to be expected to double as primary supervisors for every child.
“People seem to think that supervision is sitting in the park on their phones. Active supervision is being with your child,” Mr Blanchard said.
“If your kid’s in the water, the guardian is in the water with them. That’s what supervision is all about, especially in a water environment.
“If they take a mouthful of water, it happens quite silently, believe me.”
Mr Blanchard said young children should be at arm’s reach of their parent or guardian while in the water.
“The lifeguards are looking after everyone, they can’t focus on individuals,” he said.
“The lifeguards do the best they can and when it’s really busy and there’s hundreds of people in the water at one time, it’s harder when there are unsupervised children.
“Especially at this time they’ve got their hands full.”
Townsville parents Andrea Sinclair and Anita Davey often go to The Strand Water Park with their families and said they had both seen unaccompanied children in the area.
“I don’t think ( the lifeguards) should be babysitters at all, especially around the water,” Ms Davey said.
The mums said it was vital to keep an eye on children no matter how busy the recreational spaces were.
“Because they’ve got all the tables and chairs around here now, it’s much, much better,” Ms Davey said.
“You have to teach them to tell you where they are at all times,” Ms Sinclair said.
Deputy Mayor Les Walker said safety around water attractions and beaches was everyone’s responsibility. of year,
“We have lifesavers at all our facilities but they’re there to assist and monitor people’s behaviour and public safety and to open and close beaches as needed,” Cr Walker said.
“For parents, carers or those who have been given a responsibility to look after their children, to give that responsibility to the lifesavers is very irresponsible. Parents should be very vigilant.”
Cr Walker said most families behaved well around Townsville’s water attractions.
“By and large most people are very good. It’s fantastic how people interact around our facilities,” Cr Walker said.
“From time to time we do get those cases reported that children have been found unattended, which is quite sad and could be tragic.”