Water safety plea

Manjimup Marlins Swimming Club members believe teaching children and adults about the importance of being safe around water is a crucial step towards reducing the number of drownings in WA.

As the peak of summer approaches, this safety message becomes more important as people start to head down to the water to cool off.

Club secretary Amy Sarre said children needed to learn how to swim properly and adults needed to supervise at all times to help avoid drownings.

“Being sensible and safe around the water is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.

“People can sometimes think they will hear their child when they get into trouble in the water but the reality is they usually just slip under.”

She said she knew firsthand how fast it could all happen.

“I have had to rescue one of my children from a pool before and if I had not been keeping a close eye on them I would have had no idea they went under,” she said.

“Enrolling your children in some kind of swimming lessons, whether it be in our club or in a program like VacSwim, is something all parents should think about at this time of year to help reduce the risk.”

Club vice-president Peter Krispyn said the number of drownings in WA had not fallen in the past few years.

“It seems the number is remaining stagnant at the moment and that is an indicator we need to do more to help save lives,” he said.