AFTER a tragic spate of six fatal drownings since Christmas Day, Life Saving Victoria (LSV) is reminding parents to watch their kids around water, as it is revealed children aged 5-14 are at the highest risk of drowning in January.

Of the 38 children within this age group who have drowned in the past decade, 34 per cent have been within the month of January.

The Southern Grampians Shire Council has six outdoor pools across its area which is the most of any shire in the state, therefore lots of younger kids will be in the water over summer.

More than 20 per cent of non-fatal drownings occurred in public swimming pools, highlighting the importance of supervision around water, especially of those in the high-risk age group.

Southern Grampians Shire Council community wellbeing manager, Susannah Milne, said local parents should take advantage of the swimming opportunities available to their kids.

“Our swim programs are always very popular with this season being no exception … our term four swim and survive program hit full capacity and offered children the opportunity to improve their water safety skills so they can have a safe and fun summer in and around water,” she told The Spectator.

The local region is also offering the VICSWIM programs in different towns across the shire which enables the regions’ youth to become more confident in the water.

It is a great and affordable way to learn the basics of swimming, regardless of the skill level of the child.

The staggering drowning stats have sparked an urgent warning from LSV research and evaluation manager, Doctor Hannah Calverley, for parents and guardians to keep an eye on their little ones.

“With January marking school holidays, many families will head away to the coast or river to enjoy a relaxing break, but the one thing you can never relax on is water safety,” Dr Calverley said.

“It takes just twenty seconds for a child to drown in as little as a few centimetres of water, so to avoid tragedy these holidays, please actively supervise children at all times, which means under-fives in arm’s reach and under 10s in your constant and direct eyeline.”

A common mistake that can be made when supervising kids in the water is assuming somebody else will be watching them, so it’s important to take the responsibility on yourself.

“If you are celebrating or holidaying with a large group of people, it can be easy to assume that someone else is watching the kids when in fact, nobody is,” Dr Calverley said.

“This is why LSV encourages you to have designated adult supervisors whose role it is to actively watch the kids, you can rotate this role throughout the day, so everyone gets a chance to relax and enjoy themselves.

“The designated supervisor should also be above the age of 16 and prepared and capable to enter the water in an emergency.”

Kidsafe Victoria general manager, Jason Chambers, also encouraged parents to learn CPR and first aid so they have the skills to respond should the worst happen.

“Nobody wants to think about the worst happening, but Kidsafe Victoria encourages all parents and carers to enrol in a CPR and first aid course and update their skills regularly,” Mr Chambers said.

“Hopefully, these are skills you will never have to use, but if you do, it could be the difference between life and death.”

Tragically, 27 people have fatally drowned in Victoria since July 1, 2022.