SWIMMING coach and water safety expert Laurie Lawrence launched the Kids Alive – Do the Five water safety app with Flinders MP Greg Hunt at Pelican Park, Hastings.
“Children need constant and active supervision when they’re in, on or around the water. With the summer months approaching, vigilance is the key to keeping young children safe around water,” Mr Hunt, who is also health minister, said.
“Kids Alive is a great program and the new app provides more useful and practical tips to help us keep our kids safe around any body of water – whether it’s the bathtub or the ocean.”
Lawrence said the Kids Alive App was free in Apple and Google Play stores and was aimed at parents and young children – with music, cartoons and ebooks focussed on home, pool, beach and farm water safety.
“Drowning statistics in the under-five age group are reducing, but this is not a time to become complacent. Let’s spring into summer and use fun messages via the app to educate parents and young children,” he said.
A report published last year by Royal Life Saving Society Australia listed 21 drowning deaths of children under five.
“While this represented a 30 per cent decrease compared to the 10-year average, even one death is still one too many,” Mr Hunt said.
For details of the app and the Kids Alive – Do the Five program go to kidsalive.com.au or visit the app store to download.
First published in the Western Port News – 5 September 2017
