Page 7
Sample book
Water safety issues
Dangerous situations
Homes should be made safe for young inquisitive children.
They are at the age of exploration – of finding out what things
are and what they do. Many people lock up poisons, keep
medicines and sharp objects out of reach, but forget about water.
We all take responsibility for supervising children in or near
the water (Figure 7.1). In rivers, lakes and at the beach there
are additional dangers. Watch for snakes, sharks and stinging
creatures. Currents, submerged objects, weed and unstable
overhanging banks are all potential dangers.
Uneven riverbanks and seabeds with deep holes are dangerous
for non-swimmers who wade in shallow water to cool down.
Large lakes become very choppy with wind. During storms,
roads and stormwater drains contain fast flowing water. Never
ride surfboards or body boards in these water conditions as you
may be sucked into stormwater drains (Figure 12.1).
Walking along cliff faces (Figure 7.2) with their rocky
outcrops, slippery rocks and waves can be dangerous. At sea,
where conditions can get extremely dangerous, it is important
to be familiar with emergency drills and safety equipment
(Figure 7.3 and Figure 7.4).
Water safety practices
At home
Here are some simple hints for supervising children:
• always stay with children at bathtime;
• never leave toddlers alone in a paddling pool;
• empty paddling pools when children get out;
• cover and fence swimming pools;
• cover inground fish ponds with heavy steel mesh;
• don’t leave buckets, tubs or large bowls around the house
with water in them;
• teach young children to swim; and
• display safety guidelines, rules and
cardiopulmonary
resuscitation
(CPR) charts wherever there is water danger
and encourage all swimmers to note the rules and obey them.
Some water safety procedures for all ages are listed below:
• check the depth markers, exit points (usually steps) and the
people in the pool before getting in;
• stay in a depth zone that is comfortable; and
• avoid running, bomb-diving or dunking.
Figure 7.1 Supervision near water is
essential.
Claire Moffatt
Wet Paper
Figure 7.2 Be careful when walking
near cliff faces.
Wet Paper
Figure 7.3 Inflatable life rafts
Figure 7.4 Life jacket drill
Wet Paper
Be careful at cliff faces
Never let children out of your sight
Don't cross
flooded
creeks in 4
wheel drives
Follow safety
instructions on ships
HollyMoffatt
