Drowning is silent and quick. By the time you count 20 seconds, a young child can drown. As such and with summer fast approaching, Bankstown South Infants School is taking part in a Swim School program at Max Parker Leisure and Aquatic Centre where Year 1 and 2 students are immersed in lessons to develop fundamental survival skills in pools and beaches.
Assistant Principal Laura Osman said students had been learning how to back float, glide, enter a pool safely and most importantly, never be in water without adult supervision.
“Students also learn about the importance of sun safety – wear a hat, use sunscreen and wear a long-sleeve swimming rashie to protect them from the sun,” she said.
There are four key things everyone can do to help prevent young children drowning – supervise, restrict, teach and respond.
It’s also important to check the gate on your pool.
Does the gate still self-close and latch? Have any of the fence posts moved or been damaged? Is the ground still holding the fence solidly in place?
To download a free home pool safety checklist: royallifesaving.com.au.