Safety tips
- Always supervise children near water.
- Every swimmer should be with a buddy or supervised, and this applies to pools, lakes and rivers.
- Check the weather and water conditions, especially in rivers and lakes.
- Learn to swim and tread water.
- Learn lifesaving skills (first aid and lifesaving courses).
- Put secure, four-sided fencing and barriers around residential swimming pools and open water.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs, even in small amounts, when swimming.
- Feet first, first time! Protect your neck and head – never dive into shallow or unknown water. Learn to do shallow dives. Twice your height is the safe depth for diving.
- Identify water-related hazards (such as docks, rocks and logs) in your community’s waterways so that others will be aware of them.