Backyard danger zone for kids

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 in 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.

The report revealed that there had 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 aged under four who drowned in Queensland, compared with five in NSW and three in Victoria.

It follows a spate of drownings in Townsville this year.

Aitkenvale State School student Rita Ndel, 9, drowned in the Ross River after she fell into the water while playing on its banks last month.

It was the third child drowning in the Ross River in 2019, after Jhulio Sariago, 3, Barak Austral, 5, died in February.

Royal Life Saving Australia chief Justin Scarr said the high number of pools in the state contributed to the shocking 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.”

Federal 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 Australia 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.