With summer just around the corner, it’s important that parents and guardians actively supervise children around water.
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According to Royal Life Saving Australia’s latest figures, 249 drowning deaths happened nationwide last year. 87 people drowned in New South Wales, and 75 per cent were male.
Nationwide 18 children aged 0-4 years drowned in Australia, which was a 36 per cent reduction on the 10-year average.
67 per cent of drowning deaths of children aged 0-4 years were in swimming pools.
Minister for Sport senator Bridget McKenzie said thanks to decades of campaigning drowning rates have decreased but Australia needed to move the dial down even further.
“I urge all Australians to watch their children around water, swim at patrolled beaches between the red and yellow flags, to wear life jackets when on boats and watercraft, avoid alcohol around water and to teach their children about swimming and water safety,” she said.
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Council promotes Royal Life Saving Australia’s Keep Watch @ Public Pools program in all Council operated Swimming Centres.
A council spokesperson said the program specified that young children up to five years of age and non-swimmers must have a parent or guardian in the water with them at all times.
“For children aged between six and ten years of age, active supervision is required. Parents or guardians should be prepared to enter the water if needed,” the spokesperson said.
“For children aged between 11 and 14 years, it is recommended that parents or guardians physically check on them on a regular basis.”
For more information on the Keep Watch @ Public Pools program see www.royallifesaving.com.au/aquatic-centres/managers/programs/keep-watch-@-public-pools
For more information on Council’s Swimming Centres including rules and safety guidelines visit www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/swimming-pools.
Swimming pool opening days/hours:
Bowral Swimming Centre will open on Saturday and will stay open until March 10.
The pool will be open from 8.30am to 6pm on Saturday and from 9.30am to 6pm on Sunday.
On weekdays the pool will be open from 6am to 6pm and on public holidays the pool will be open from 10am to 5pm.
Meanwhile Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre, which is owned by council and managed by BlueFit, is open seven days a week and on public holidays.
The aquatic centre opening hours include 6am to 8pm from Monday to Friday, from 8am to 5pm on Saturday, from 9am to 5pm on Sunday and public holidays from 9am to 5pm.
Bundanoon Swimming Centre will be open from November 17, 2018 to March 10, 2019.
An opening date for Mittagong Swimming Centre is yet to be confirmed.
Once the refurbishment is completed the centre will remain open until March 31, 2019.