Water Safety - 15 January 2008
The tragedy of losing a family member to a drowning incident can be devastating. A recent incident in Sydney during the Christmas period showed that a few minutes is all it takes to turn summer fun into family heartbreak.
As the mercury rises over the last few weeks of school holidays, Canberrans will spend many hours around pools, beaches, rivers and lakes as a means of cooling off.
Whilst water safety is a responsibility for everyone, it is young children who are the most vulnerable. Children should be supervised by an adult at all times when in or near water, whether it’s a backyard paddling pool or a public pool. Children who cannot swim should be equipped with effective flotation devices including buoyancy vests. Larger pools should be enclosed and gates should be properly secured with child-proof latches to ensure children can only access swimming areas when accompanied by an adult.
But it’s not just children that can be affected; swimmers who consume alcohol can find their judgment is impaired, leading to the potential for injury or death. Any consumption of alcohol should be moderated against these risks.
This summer, keep an eye on your children and your alcohol intake to ensure you stay safe near the water.
Michael Phelan
Chief Police Officer