Drownings in Australia have reduced overall but it remains the leading cause of accidental death in young children. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare, but something that has to be considered in order to prevent it.
The Royal Life Saving and Surf Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report, released on Wednesday, has revealed drowning to be the leading cause of accidental death in children under the age of four in Australia.
Eighteen children under the age of five were among the 249 people who died in the country’s waters in the past year, renewing calls to better spread water safety throughout communities.
Royal Life Saving research and policy national manager Amy Peden told SBS News: “With children under five, the age group most vulnerable to drowning, it’s all about active adult supervision … not looking at your phone, being within arm’s reach of young children when they’re in and around water.”
Three-quarters of people who drowned did so within a hundred kilometres of their home postcodes.
The 249 figure is the lowest number of deaths on record and marks a 14 per cent reduction, but Ms Peden said:
“While we’re very pleased with that result, we are still making the community aware that 249 families have lost loved ones in preventable tragedies.”
The reduction in drownings has also been credited to a number of contributing factors including to drought-like summers meaning there were fewer floods.
The report also revealed drownings and near-drownings cost Australia almost $1.5 billion, impacting health systems, emergency services and productivity.
Drownings in creeks and streams account for one in four of the deaths. The second-leading location was along beaches, oceans and harbours.
Swimming pools were named to be the most dangerous setting for small children, accounting for 36 per cent of those under age five who drowned in swimming pools. More than half of them had fallen in.
Royal Life Saving also says too much alcohol is being consumed around waterways, with studies showing two in five men who drowned in the past year had drugs and/or alcohol in their system. SBS
