The Victorian Minister for Children, the Hon Sherryl Garbutt, (above) together with the President of Kidsafe Vic, Dr Mark Stokes, watch a class at Sanctuary Lakes Resort Rec Club. The minister called on parents to be vigilant around backyard swimming pools and at the beach during the hot summer.

Professor Mark Stokes, Associate Professor Deakin University, and President of Kidsafe Victoria said, "Compulsory swimming pool fencing and community awareness introduced into Victoria with the help of Kidsafe, has been responsible for cutting backyard swimming pool deaths dramatically."

The Minister will join parents and toddlers today at a ‘learn to swim’ class at the Sanctuary Lakes Resort Rec Club to launch the Kidsafe Summer Safety Campaign as part of Children’s Week.

Over 2000 children have learnt to swim at Sanctuary Lakes Resort in the past eight years.

The Minister will be joined by the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of Victoria who support the pool safety campaign.

Professor Mark Stokes, Associate Professor Deakin University, and President of Kidsafe Victoria said, "Teaching young children to swim is a vital life skill which could become a life saver in a dangerous situation".

"Compulsory swimming pool fencing and community awareness introduced into Victoria with the help of Kidsafe had been responsible for cutting backyard swimming pool deaths dramatically."

Ted Martin, President of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association (SPASA) said, "The industry strongly supported pool fencing and had introduced an industry policy of ‘No Fence No Fill’ which meant the fencing had to be completed before any SPASA member would fill a pool to ensure safety."

Professor Stokes said, that the summer holidays are a good time for people to be active with their children but at the same time it is important to ensure they undertook leisure activities and sport safely.

"Pick safer places to play - choosing to take your children for a walk or ride on the beach or in a park where there are no cars is much safer than in an urban environment".

"Insisting that your children wear appropriate safety gear such as helmets and knee pads is also important and will maximize the chance of an accident free holiday," Professor Stokes said.

"It is also vital swimming pools and spas are supervised by parents when in use."

Children are often involved in fatal incidents especially drowning when they go to new areas for holidays and we urge parents to undertake a safety audit of any holiday area and ensure they are aware of any dangerous situations especially on farms which in reality are working industrial sites with machinery, chemicals and water storages, Professor Stokes said.

Media Enquiries:
Kidsafe Victoria: 03 9251 7725
Ted Martin President SPASA Mobile: 0418 312 940
Ron Smith Media Communications Kidsafe Mobile: 0417 329 201