Australian families are being issued a critical safety warning as summer approaches, following the release of a devastating national report on child drownings. The urgent call to action focuses on the vital importance of secure pool fencing and constant adult supervision.
A Decade of Tragic Loss
The latest report from Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) has uncovered a heartbreaking toll: 183 children under the age of four drowned between 2015 and 2025. The data reveals that swimming pools were the most common location for these tragedies, accounting for a staggering 65 per cent of all deaths in this age group.
In the majority of cases, these incidents occurred in backyard pools. The report details that children typically gained access either while completely unsupervised or through a pool gate that had been left improperly closed. Accidental falls into water were responsible for 72 per cent of the fatalities, highlighting how quickly and quietly disaster can strike.
The Summer Safety Campaign
With the drowning risk set to peak over the warmer months, RLSA is launching its annual Keep Watch campaign. The campaign delivers a powerful message to parents and carers about the tragic consequences of a momentary lapse in supervision.
"Drowning is quick and silent. Mobile phones and social media can distract parents long enough for kids to enter a pool area unsupervised," said RLSA chief executive officer Justin Scarr. "It is vital parents keep constant watch and restrict access to water around the home. Check that your pool fence and gate are in working order. If there is a lapse in supervision, a fence can save your child's life."
Dr Scarr also emphasised that families should never leave young children in the care of older siblings around water. He strongly encouraged parents to learn CPR and to help children develop essential water skills through formal swimming lessons and safe water play.
Local Government Compliance Falling Short
The responsibility for safety also extends to local governments, which are required to conduct compliance checks on private pool fences and gates. However, a Building and Energy report from September found significant shortcomings.
As of June 30, 2170 pools – or 1.2 per cent of the total – were overdue for their mandatory inspection. The report identified that four local governments – Wanneroo, East Fremantle, Rockingham, and South Perth – were responsible for half of all overdue pool inspections across the state.
The Town of East Fremantle had the highest overdue percentage at 38.7 per cent. A council spokesperson acknowledged last month that the town had fallen behind its inspection schedule and has since reviewed the program. They stated that action was being taken to complete all required inspections, prioritising those that are overdue, with the aim of finishing them by the end of December 2025.
Building and Energy executive director Daniel Kearney noted that difficulty gaining property access was a key reason for overdue checks. He stressed that both local councils and homeowners must play their part to reduce the child drowning risk, reminding pool owners that they share the responsibility for ensuring their pools are safe and compliant.
The RLSA report also shed light on other drowning risks within the home. Over the same ten-year period, 33 children, mostly aged one and under, drowned in bathtubs, underscoring the need for vigilance around all bodies of water, no matter how small.
