Summer is nearly here! For many families, that means swimming pools, trips to the beach and lots of fun in the water.
Little ones love water. But young children are also at high risk around it. The good news is that some easy, everyday habits can help keep your child safe. Here are our top tips for a happy and safe summer.
Why Little Ones Need Extra Care Around Water
Young children are curious and move quickly. They like to explore water, but they don't understand that it can be dangerous.
Drowning can happen fast, and it is often silent. It can happen in just a few centimetres of water. There may be no splashing or crying.
Royal Life Saving's 2026 National Drowning Report found that 11 children under five drowned in Australia in 2025/26. This is 39% lower than the 10-year average, which is good news. But more than half of these deaths (55%) happened in backyard swimming pools.
Most drownings of young children happen close to home. Most of them can be prevented.
Easy Water Safety Tips for Your Family
Always stay close
Watching your child closely is the most important thing you can do. Royal Life Saving says this means giving your child your full attention when they are in, on or near water.
Stay close enough to reach out and grab your child. Be ready to get into the water if you need to. Try not to look at your phone or do other jobs at the same time. If you need to walk away, take your child with you.
Older brothers and sisters should not be in charge. An adult should always watch young children around water.
Check your pool fence
A pool fence helps keep your child safe if you look away. Before summer, check that:
- The gate shuts and locks by itself every time
- Nothing is holding the gate open
- There are no gaps or broken parts in the fence
- Chairs, pots, toys and barbecues are not close to the fence, so children cannot climb over
When you are in the pool area with your child, stay inside the fence too. Kidsafe has a pool safety checklist you can use. Pool fence rules are different in each state, so ask your local council if you are not sure.
Take care with paddling pools
Blow-up and portable pools are great fun on hot days. Under state and territory laws, pools that can hold more than 30cm of water usually need a safety fence, just like a normal pool.
Empty small paddling pools straight after use. Store them so they cannot fill up with rain.
Look for water around your home
Even small amounts of water can be dangerous for young children. Watch out for:
- Baths and sinks (empty them straight after use)
- Buckets and nappy buckets (keep lids on and keep them up high)
- Ponds, water features and birdbaths
- Water tanks
- Pet water bowls
Raising Children Network says an adult should watch children in the bath until they are about five years old, even if older children are in the bath too.
Make a plan for parties and holidays
Summer is a time for barbecues, Christmas parties and holidays. When there are lots of people around, everyone may think someone else is watching the children.
Choose one adult to watch the water. Take turns, and make sure the next person knows it is their turn.
When you visit somewhere new, look for water as soon as you arrive. Holiday houses, caravan parks and family homes may have pools, spas or dams.
If you cannot find your child, check any water nearby first.
Swimming lessons are great, but you still need to watch
Swimming lessons help children feel comfortable in the water. Classes for babies and toddlers (about 6 to 36 months) teach simple skills like moving in the water, getting their face wet and blowing bubbles. Classes for three to five year olds build on these skills.
But even children who can swim can still drown. Always keep watching.
Help to pay for swimming lessons
Some state governments help families pay for swimming lessons. At the time of writing:
- Queensland: The Play On! Learn to Swim program gives vouchers of up to $150 for children aged 0 to 4 for eligiable families.
- Victoria: The VICSWIM Summer Kidz program has low-cost lessons every January for children aged four and older.
These programs can change, so check the official website before you book. Your local swim school can also tell you which vouchers they take.
Learn CPR
If a child is in or near water and is not breathing or not responding, call Triple Zero (000) and start CPR straight away.
You can do a CPR course with groups like Royal Life Saving, St John Ambulance and Australian Red Cross. It is a good idea to do a refresher course regularly.
Teach simple water rules
Young children can learn simple rules about water. You can try:
- "We only go near water with a grown-up."
- "We walk around the pool. We don't run."
- "We wait for a grown-up before we get in."
Say the rules often and keep them positive. Children learn best with lots of gentle reminders.
Outdoor Fun and Learning at Aussie Kindies
Playing with water is great for learning. When children pour, splash and fill containers, they learn about maths and science, and they build coordination and confidence. Outdoor play is full of learning moments like these. You can read more in our post on the importance of outdoor play.
Summer is also a good time to think about sun safety. Our tips on helping little ones stay sun safe this season are a great next read.
If you have questions about water play or summer routines at your centre, please talk to your child's educators. We're always happy to help.
Have a safe, happy summer full of splashing and fun!