Kidsafe Victoria is urging parents and carers to remain vigilant around bath time as it launches Bath Safety Week.
Running from Monday, March 31 to Friday, April 4, Bath Safety Week highlights the potentially hidden dangers of water in the home.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of unintentional death among children, with the latest Life Saving Victoria Drowning Report revealing that five children aged 0–14 tragically lost their lives to drowning in 2023–24, with many incidents occurring around the home.
Kidsafe Victoria chief executive Sarah Sexton said that it takes just 20 seconds and a few centimetres of water for a toddler to drown.
“This means bathtubs, buckets, fish ponds, eskies with melted ice and even pet water bowls can all pose a potential drowning hazard for young children,” Ms Sexton said.
When supervising children around water, distractions can be fatal.
Even a brief lapse in supervision, such as taking a phone call or checking on dinner, can have devastating consequences.
“Water safety rightly gets a lot of attention in the summer months, but it’s important to keep it top of mind all year round, and for families to be aware of potential water hazards around the home, including baths,” Ms Sexton said.
As part of Bath Safety Week, Kidsafe Victoria has released a range of bath safety video and audio resources, with information translated into various languages, to help keep kids safe.
Kidsafe Victoria is reminding parents and carers of four crucial bath safety tips:
• Active supervision is essential – always keep young children within arm’s reach during bath time, with no distractions. Never leave children unattended, even for a moment.
• Be prepared – have everything ready before bath time, such as towels and soap, and keep them in arm’s reach so they’re easily accessible. If you have to leave the bathroom, take your children with you.
• Filling the bath – make sure you fill the bath with just enough water to let you wet your child with your hands. Always empty the bath straight after bath time and store the plug up high and out of reach.
• Learn CPR and first aid – enrol in a CPR and first aid course and update your skills regularly. In an emergency, quick action can mean the difference between life and death.
“Behind every drowning statistic is a family whose lives are forever changed,” Ms Sexton said.
“These incidents are preventable. By working together, we can create safer environments for our children and prevent these heartbreaking tragedies.”
For more information on bath safety, and to access the translated resources, visit the Kidsafe website.
Details: www.kidsafevic.com.au/water-safety/.
