Drowning
- Children between the ages of five and nine who can swim should be within 1 to 5 meters of your reach. Those who cannot swim should be within arm’s reach (1 meter). Supervision is required at all times, regardless of the child’s swimming ability, and you should always be able to see and hear them (Lifesaving Society, n.d.).
- Ensure your child wears a properly fitted lifejacket or personal floatation device when they are in or around water. Children over the age of 5 can begin to learn swimming as they have the physical skills to perform swimming strokes on their own (Parachute, 2024).
- Teach your child about water safety rules as older children may overestimate their own skills and underestimate the depth of the water and strength of the current (Parachute, 2024).
