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The dam is not a swimming pool ! With the recent heatwave and more to come, Southern Rural Water has put out a timely reminder and warning. Southern Rural Water is reminding all landowners to ensure the safety of children and visitors around dams this summer. On average five to six children drown in farm dams and water bodies each year in Australia. Most are under five years of age, and one third are visitors to the farm.
“Swimming in dams and drains can be particularly dangerous, because they are often deep, and have slippery edges,” said General Manager Groundwater and Rivers, Craig Parker. “We urge everyone – not only parents of children, but also farm managers, workers and visitors – to be extra careful around dams this summer”. Southern Rural Water has more than 3000 dams registered across the southern half of Victoria, and estimates there are thousands more smaller domestic and stock dams on farms and properties.
Farmsafe Australia says drowning accounts for around 35-40% of all child farm deaths, with farm dams being by far the most common site and children under five years at greatest risk. Farmsafe research indicates that on average, only one in two farms have a fenced house yard secure enough to prevent a young child under five years wandering off without the help of an adult. The dam is not a swimming pool
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Helena Whitman |
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