Water Safety

The Problem of Drowning in Aotearoa

Between 2016 to 2020, 20 drownings occured in the home environment with ten child under the age of five drowning in home pools, one of these being an inflatable pool.

Children under the age of 5 are the most at risk, with European and Māori tamariki making up most of the drowning deaths. Drowning is undortunately the leading cause of death of New Zealander's under the age of 5.

The good news is that drowning from home pools is preventable through the use of fencing, and active supervision.

Temporary Pools

It only take 4cm of water and less than two minutes of water for your child to drown.

All residential pools that can hold 40cm (400mm) or more of water require a physical barrier to restrict access to unsupervised children, this includes temporary pools.

If you have a temporary pool or are looking to purchase a temporary pool, you will need to install barrier or fence. Installing a barrier or fence might require a building consent from you local council. For more information see the link here.

All private pools are required to have a fencing and a safety inspection every three years, as accordng to Auckland Council.

If you can't install a barrier, look to other water play activities such as your local public swimming pool, at home sprinklers and slip and slides.

Temporary pools that hold less than 40cm of water should be emptied out and stored upside down after every use.

Beach, Lake, River

Choose a beach patrolled by lifeguards. Always swim between the red and yellow flags with your child.

Make sure to ditch the distractions, like cellphones and actively supervise. Make sure you are also within arms reach, beaches and surf are always changing.

If you are on a boat, lifejackets must be worn. Choosing the right fit for a lifejacket for yourself and your child is crucial to safety when out on the water. Lifejackets save lives.

Hazards Around the Home

Apart from pools, there are other hazards you should be aware of in the home.

Empty water from buckets and containers as soon as you've finished using them, and check around your whare and backyard for anything that can hold water or collect rainwater. Turn these upside down so water can't collect.

Water risks around the home:

Fish ponds
Stock troughs
Buckets
Drinking ponds
Ornamental containers

Close doors to laundry, bathrooms or toilet doors.

Make sure that no play equipment or things children can easily climb on are not near pool fences.

Baths

To keep tamariki safe around baths, follow these safety tips:

Make sure you have everything in the bathroom before your child is in the bath, don't leave a baby in the bath by themselves
Watch the bath as it fills and empty as soon as your child is out
Stay within arms reach of your child in the bath at all times
Put the bath plug up high and out of reach when not in use

Water Safety Tips

Alway's keep tamariki within arms reach
Avoid distractions while tamarki are playing in or near water
Avoid using temporary pools
Babies and toddlers can drown in less than 4cm of water. Always empty buckets and paddlng pools when not in use.