Royal Life Saving Keep Watch 2020
Royal Life Saving's Keep Watch Campaign for 2020, aimed at preventing child drowning in Australia, kicked off on 19th November 2020.
The Campaign has been running for nearly 30 years, during which time we've seen drowning rates in children aged under 5 years plummet. Since, 2002 when Royal Life Saving records began, we have seen a reduction of 74% in child drowning rates in this age group.
Keep Watch has always advocated for active adult supervision to prevent drowning, with additional safety measures, such as restricting a child's access to water, teaching them water familiarlisation, and learning first aid and resuscitation in case of an emergency. Backed by our research, which shows that almost all child drowning deaths were due to an absence of or lapse in active adult supervision, this year's Campaign builds on these central principles by putting the onus on parents to develop the right preventive behaviours to keep their children safe around water.
The Campaign this year leads with the mantra "Kids can't help themselves around water. You need to", based on the notion that kids will be kids, and that they are all unique characters and personalities, each curious and unpredictable, each oblivious to the dangers that water could pose for them. Parents are therefore asked always be prepared for the unexpected and Keep Watch with four direct actions:
- Supervise. Actively supervise children around water
- Restrict. Restrict children’s access to water
- Teach. Teach children water safety skills
- Respond. Learn how to respond in the case of an emergency
Find out more about how to keep your child safe around water at home and while out and about.
Since 2015, the Keep Watch Campaign has been kindly supported by Protector Aluminium, specialists in pool fencing and products.
Further information
MEDIA RELEASE: Drowning is the leading cause of death in children aged one
