Spike in toddler drownings prompts call for more water safety education

There has been a 30% increase in drowning deaths in children under the age of five.

Dr Bernadette Matthews, Principal Research Associate at Life Saving Victoria, has told Tom Elliott that most of these drownings occur at home.

‘Lack of supervision is a key factor,’ Dr Matthews said on Tuesday.

‘People need to make sure their pool fence is correctly installed and regularly maintained.

‘Never leave it propped open for any reason.

‘You need to be actively supervising children around water. They can be so quick to get away from you, and 20 seconds is all it takes for a child to drown.’

With the weather already starting to get warmer, this serves as a timely warning ahead of the Aussie summer.

LISTEN: Dr Bernadette Matthews speaks to Tom Elliott about trends in drowning deaths