With the alarming statistic that 1-year-olds accounted for the highest number (40%) of drowning deaths among children aged 0-4 last year, water safety experts Kids Alive – Do the Five are calling on families to start swim lessons as early as possible.
'Swim into Summer with Kids Alive' will run from September 23 – 27, with swim schools across Australia offering free lessons and water safety events to under 5s. To further support families, Kids Alive is providing five free online lessons, consisting of video tutorials covering fundamental aspects of learning to swim, including water familiarisation, breath control, submersion, floating, and propulsion.
Tragically, 323 people lost their lives to drowning last year, an increase of 16% on the ten-year average. 15 children under 5 drowned with three in five drownings occurring in the home environment, most commonly in a swimming pool or bathtub.
Emma Lawrence, National Operations Manager at Kids Alive, highlighted that while these numbers reflect a downward trend, they underscore the need for starting water familiarisation when children are young.
"A child can start their water safety journey from as early as 3 months, and it's all about comfort and confidence in the water when they are very young. As summer approaches, the need for early intervention becomes critical to reducing the risk of drowning in young children," she said.
"Whether your child is already enrolled in traditional swim classes or is just starting their water journey, the Swim Into Summer online lessons serve as a powerful supplement."
"They not only reinforce what is taught by professional swim instructors but also empower families to take an active role in their child's skill development. It's a win-win situation that fast-tracks learning."
Laurie Lawrence, the founder of Kids Alive, emphasised the critical role of prevention in reducing the drowning incidents.
"Supervision and learning to swim are two of the most effective drowning prevention methods available to parents. Every child who learns to swim is a life potentially saved. By offering these free lessons both at swim schools and online, we're not just teaching kids to swim; we're giving families hope and peace of mind."
For families eager to access the online lessons, visit https://kidsalive.com.au/swim-into-summer/.
Participating swim schools will offer kids under 5, a free lessons during 23 – 27 September.
Swim into Summer with Kids Alive is supported nationally by the major swimming associations including SWIM Australia, AUSTSWIM, ASSA and World Wide Swim Schools.
