- Swimming lessons drop by 20% during the cold seasons, with winter drownings still accounting for 14% of total drownings
- With swimming lessons the leading drowning prevention method, continuing water safety practices through the cooler months is crucial
- To highlight water safety awareness during winter, the Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety education service is launching a series of resources – new toddler books and songs to combat a drop in swimming lessons
With swimming lessons dropping by an average 20% during the colder months, a new series of toddler water safety books and songs have been launched in a bid to combat the drop in swimming lessons.
Last year 49 people drowned during Winter. Following the tragic increase during COVID, deaths among children aged 0-4 years luckily decreased 29% last year but 17 little people still lost their lives, with 35% occurring in the backyard pool and 12% in bathtubs.
With swimming lessons the leading drowning prevention method, Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety education service has launched new resources to reinforce what kids learn at swim lessons. There are four new books aimed at toddlers, and 8 new water safety songs covering safety topics and tips across the home, beach, pool, and farm.
Research shows that over three-quarters (79%) of children in swimming lessons are aged 4 and over *, yet the highest drowning rate is in children 0-4; reinforcing the message that children need to learn to swim early. Swimming lessons are crucial all year round to ensure that children are always learning about water safety and it remains front of mind for parents and carers.
The new books are available as flip books on www.kidsalive.com.au with the music available through Spotify. 55,000 books have also been delivered direct to early learning centres across Australia.
Key Facts:
- 49 people drowned last winter
- 14% of drownings still occur in Winter ( 24% in Autumn)
- Dropping out of learning to swim impacts kids’ confidence in the water when they need it most in the warmer months again.
