Children aged 0 to 4 years

Drowning in children aged 0 to 4 years

One of the leading causes of death in this age group

Leading cause of death in children aged one, two and three years old

27

Average number of children who drowned each year in Australia between 2002 and 2022

Swimming pools are the leading location for toddler drowning deaths

Although the safety information is much the same for all young children, parents and carers need to modify what they do as their child becomes more mobile and independent.

How to keep your child safe

Have everything ready for bathing before placing your child anywhere near bath water
Keep bath water to a minimum depth
Never leave babies alone while they are in the bath or around water
Remain within arm’s reach of your child and never leave a child alone around water
Create a safe play area to restrict your child’s access to water
Ensure a pool fence is correctly installed, regularly maintained and gate is never left open
Establish simple rules such as no going near water without an adult
Never leave a young child in the care of older children
Enrol your child in water familiarisation lessons
Empty buckets/containers that can hold water, including portable pools when not in use
Update your CPR skills annually

Unintentional falls into water

77%

Children aged 0 to 4 years