Released 08/12/2016
Canberrans are being called on to be backyard lifeguards this summer as part of the ACT Government’s new campaign to raise awareness on the importance of pool safety.
Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman, today announced the campaign, which will run throughout summer, alongside some of its key supporters, Royal Life Saving Society Australia and Kidsafe as well three time Olympian swimmer, Alicia Coutts. Kids Alive, who were unable to attend the media launch today, are also key supporters of the campaign.
“In the ACT the home swimming pool is the most common location for drowning death and injury of children under the age of five,” Minister Gentleman said.
“As a community we are all responsible for safety around pools and together we can reduce the risk of children drowning in swimming pools in the ACT.
“It’s not only children that live at houses with swimming pools that drown. Children of friends and relatives that may be visiting or children from neighbouring properties are also at risk. This is why we are calling on all people who own or live near a pool to be a backyard lifeguard; because the more backyard lifeguards we have, the more children in our community we can keep safe,” Minister Gentleman said.
“The new pool safety campaign encourages people to:
actively supervise children in and around the pool at all times
know how to perform CPR which can save lives and, if performed early, help reduce serious or long-term injuries
teach kids to swim and be safe around pools
check their pool barriers meet current safety standards
keep pool barriers clear of objects and plants that kids can use to climb into the pool area
ensure the pool gate is shut at all times.
“The campaign concept draws on the positive connection people have with lifesavers/lifeguards and reinforces this message using the recognisable visual of a flag and red and yellow colours commonly associated with surf life saving.
“The new campaign will continue throughout summer and be promoted through television, radio, print, cinema, social media and back of bus advertising. Posters, flyers, the Our Canberra newsletter and Access Canberra shop front screens will also be used. A pool barrier safety checklist has been prepared and is available online and at all public libraries to provide pool owners with the opportunity to see how safe their pool barrier is,” Minister Gentleman concluded.
The new swimming pool safety campaign addresses one of the recommendations from a recent Coronial Inquiry into the drowning death of a toddler in an ACT backyard swimming pool, that being, for the ACT Government to deliver a pool safety public awareness campaign.
- Statement ends -
Mick Gentleman, MLA | Media Releases