Anthony Roberts MP, Member for Lane Cove, said today that he strongly supported National Water Safety Week, which runs from 29 November to 7 December 2009 and aims to increase community awareness about the importance of water safety in the lead up to summer and the swimming season.

“Children are particularly at risk around water, with drowning being a major cause of death for toddlers,” Mr Roberts said.

“There are some simple safety rules that will help avoid turning the festive season into tragedy.”

Mr Roberts said these simple safety rules include always supervising your children, learning to swim yourself, teaching your children to swim and parents learning child first aid including CPR.

Around the house Anthony Roberts MP, suggests that parents:

• Always supervise young children in the bath;
• Never leave an older child to supervise a younger child in the bath;
• Take children out of the bath if you have to answer the door or the phone;
• Empty the bath immediately after use;
• Always keep the doors of the bathroom and laundry securely closed;
• Use a nappy bucket with a tight fitting lid, keep it closed and out of reach;
•  Cover ponds, bird baths and other water sources with mesh; and
• Keep pet water bowls aquariums and fishbowls well out of little children’s reach.

In the backyard or on the farm Anthony Roberts MP, says that the following tips are important:

• Always supervise your children near water;
• Install a fence around swimming pools;
• Check that the safety catch on pool fence gate is working properly on regular occasions;
• Don’t leave any material near the pool that would allow a child to climb over the fence;
• Don’t leave floating toys in the pool that encourages children to reach for them;
• Empty wading or splash pools immediately a child has finished using them;
• Be aware of risks on other peoples properties when you are visiting; and
• Warn your older children of the dangers of playing around or swimming in waterways, dams or watercourses.

Mr Roberts said it was important to teach children to swim from as early an age as possible to familiarise children with water, but it was important to remember that children under the age of five may not be able to use their swimming skills in an emergency and all children should always be supervised at all time near water.

“Likewise flotation devices are good to give you child confidence if they meet Australian Standards, but you should remember that they are not lifesaving devices,” Mr Roberts said.

“This summer should be a fun season with the family.”

“Simply observing a few easy safety rules when your children are near water can avoid tragedy without difficulty,” Mr Roberts said.