Never take your eyes off

Supervision is the key to prevent drowning.

Supervision means constant watching, not occasionally glancing at your child while you read or snooze. Don't forget to supervise children near pools, rivers, beaches, nappy buckets, fish ponds, dams and bathtubs. It takes only seconds for a child to drown.

Water Safety Tips at Home

• Supervision means constant visual contact, not the occasional glance.
• If you leave the pool or water area, even for a moment, take the children with you.
• A swimming pool fence is not a substitute for supervision.
• Display a resuscitation chart on your pool fence.
• Familiarise children with water by taking them to lessons at the local pool.
• Empty paddle pools when they are not in use.
• Empty baths, basins, sinks and troughs immediately after use.

Pool Fences - Swimming Pool and Spa Safety Barriers (PDF 2.7MB) - Requires Adobe® Acrobat® Reader

Local Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Your local swimming pool provides the ideal safe swimming environment. Not only is the water quality controlled to meet Health regulations, it is patrolled by qualified Pool Lifeguards.

• Always obey the pool's safety rules and listen to the instructions of pool lifeguards. They are there to assist you.
• Play it safe. Always walk around the pool, and remember to check for others before entering the water.
• Never take your eyes off the children.

To find out how to become a pool lifeguard contact Life Saving Victoria on (03) 9676 6900.