Your Water Safety Guide for Babies & Toddlers

Introduction:

We used to have some neighbours who were renting the house across the road from us.

They had a beautiful swimming pool, two toddlers…

And no pool fence. 😱

Their back doors opened directly to the pool- I’m talking just two meters from the water. I honestly don’t know how they slept at night.

It wasn’t until after their third child was born that the landlord finally put in a pool fence, and probably only because he was legally required to before selling the house six months later.

We all know that kids are drawn to water. And while pool fencing is critical if your home has a pool, pools aren’t the only place where children can be at risk, and fences aren’t the only solution to prevent drowning.

Over the years, I’ve found the Supervise, Restrict, Teach, Respond (SRTR) framework from Royal Life Saving Society – Australia (RLSSA) to be one of the most effective and easy-to-remember approaches for drowning prevention. By following these four pillars, you can reduce risks and ensure that water play stays fun, safe, and stress-free.

Let’s dive in! (😉)

Supervision: Always Stay Within Arms Reach

The most important rule of water safety for babies and toddlers?

SUPERVISION!!!!

In fact, supervision is the single most important thing you can do to prevent drowning. Nearly all fatal-drownings in the 0-4 age group are due to a lack of active, adult supervision. Drowning is quick and silent, often happening in under 30 seconds, so the best way to keep your little one safe is to stay within arm’s reach at all times.

How to Supervise Effectively:

✅ Be present and engaged. Stay focused: no phones, no distractions, no stepping away. If you need to leave, even for just a moment, please I beg you- take your child with you.

✅ Make it interactive. Sing songs, splash together, and practice gentle floating exercises. Being engaged makes water time safer and more fun!

But what if they have floaties? Surely that makes it safer?

The truth is, even if they seem helpful, floaties will never be a substitute for active supervision. This is because children can tip over, slip out, or get stuck face-down in the water when using these devices. More on that another day!

💡 Quick Tip: Set a family rule: “If my child is in the water, I’m right there with them.” 

Restrict: Creating a Safe Water Environment

Toddlers are little escape artists! They are fast, determined, and endlessly curious. That’s why water safety isn’t just about putting up a fence and hoping for the best. It’s about creating multiple layers of protection that slow down their access to water, and give you time to react before they reach it. 

Tips to Keep Your Pool and Water Areas Off-Limits

✅ Fence it- but don’t trust it 100%. A compliant 1.2m-high fence with a self-closing, self-latching gate is essential, but kids can climb, squeeze through gaps, or figure out latches. Make sure it’s always in top condition too! Please don't put off fixing that faulty latch for a rainy day. Today is your day to do it, not tomorrow!

✅ And let's not forget how crafty a little one can be- anything near a pool fence is fair game for them to use as a way to climb over! I’m talking chairs, pot plants, toys, you name it! Make sure none of it is near the fence.

✅ Make “gate closed” a house rule. Treat the pool gate like you would a gate that opens to a main road. You would never risk leaving that open if young ones were around. Even if it’s more convenient because you’re carrying lots of stuff, never prop the pool gate open, and make sure everyone else (such as older kids and adults) are across this rule too.

✅ Store toys out of sight. Pool toys left near the water are an open invitation for little explorers. Keep them stored away when not in use.

💡 Quick tip: Think of pool fences like seatbelts... they're an important safety tool, but they're not a one stop shop in preventing emergencies. A secure fence buys you time, not guarantees safety, so always check latches, climbable objects and stay vigilant!

Teach: Helping Little Ones Learn Water Safety

The earlier kids get comfortable in water, the better. While young ones don’t fully understand danger, consistent and repetitive instructions from you can create water safety habits from day dot.

✅ Start Swimming Lessons Early- From six months of age, swimming lessons are recommended, not just to introduce basic water skills, but to help little ones feel comfortable in water. While lessons don’t replace supervision, they:

✔ Teach early survival skills, like back/starfish floating.

✔ Reduce panic if they ever fall in.

✔ Reinforce water safety habits.

💡 Quick Tip: A lot of swimming centres off free 6 week programs for infants. Ask around and see if one near you does the same!

✅ Make Water Safety Rules Second Nature- Just like we teach kids to hold hands when crossing the road, water safety rules should be a normal part of their routine:

✔️Wait for a grown-up before getting in. Teach them to sit and wait instead of jumping in on their own.

✔️Always ask before going near water. Whether at home, the local creek or a beach, make sure they know that you must always be with them around water.

✔️No running near the pool. Wet surfaces are slippery, and falls happen fast.

What About Open Water?

Lakes, rivers, and beaches have additional risks beyond pools. Keep these safety steps in mind:

✅ Always check for currents. Rivers and the ocean can have strong, unpredictable currents that pull even confident swimmers off balance.

✅ Watch for drop-offs. Shallow water can suddenly become deep, especially in natural environments.

✅ Teach kids to never turn their back on the ocean. Waves and rips can change quickly, making it important to stay facing the water at all times.

💡Quick tip: Make sure you teach them to always swim between the flags.

Respond: Knowing What to Do in an Emergency

Even with the best precautions, accidents can happen. But knowing what to do can save a life. Being prepared helps you stay calm and confident if an emergency ever arises.

✅ Always Check the Water First: If a child ever goes missing, even for a few seconds, check bodies of water first, be this the bath, the pool, or your property dam. Time matters in a drowning situation, and looking in the water before searching elsewhere could save critical seconds.

💡 Quick Tip: Make this a household rule- “If we can’t see them, check the water first.”

✅ Learn CPR: Every parent, grandparent, and caregiver should know infant and child CPR.

🛟 If a child is pulled from the water unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR immediately.

🛟 Even if they seem fine after being submerged, watch for signs like persistent coughing, difficulty breathing, or extreme tiredness which should prompt you to seek medical attention.

💡 Quick Tip: Taking a CPR refresher every year keeps skills sharp. Look for a paediatric-focused CPR course to ensure you’re learning the right techniques for little ones.

Final Thoughts:

Water safety isn’t about fear, it’s about being prepared.

By supervising, restricting access, teaching safe habits, and knowing how to respond, you’re creating an environment where your child can enjoy the water safely and confidently, and you can have more peace of mind.