Parents warned on |kids and drains

KIDSAFE Victoria is urging parents in Caqrdinia to take proper safety precautions this summer to help prevent drownings.
Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said literally thousands of kilometres of open drain networks and creeks thoughout Australia, which had remained dry during the drought, could become deadly with a short but intense rain storm kilometres away.
“The recent tragic drowning of a six-year-old boy in Queensland who was sucked into a stormwater drain on 28 December follows another tragic drowning last year of a boy in Hawthorn in a swollen drainage channel that was linked to the Yarra,” he said.
“Both of these incidents related to flooding in open drainage channels.”
Dr Stokes said the lack of rain meant many people had become complacent about the dangers of water channels and drains, both in the city and in the country.
“We urge parents to make sure that they educate their children about the dangers of entering any area where there is flowing water.
“Parents taking children on holidays, especially into country and seaside areas, should be conscious of any streams or dams that are located close to where the family is staying.”
Dr Stokes also said the drought had increased the use of backyard swimming pools in hot weather, another major danger area for drownings of babies and toddlers.
“Our message for parents is to ensure that their children do not have access to swimming pools without adult supervision and that the swimming pool area is fenced effectively.”