Sunday July 25 World Drowning Prevention Day
With the availability of water safety education an issue for the at risk under-fives, Kids Alive has established a new partnership that aims to increase resource accessibility across Australia.
After research revealed one in four children attended dance lessons * Kids Alive sought a special partnership with READY SET DANCE, resulting in 250 locations, across every state and territory, incorporating the Kids Alive Do the Five and Sunscreen March safety songs as part of its program for under 5s.
Kids Alive Founder Laurie Lawrence said the partnership was part of a deliberate strategy to provide water safety education all year round.
“Swimming lessons remain one of the best preventive measures to reduce drownings, but we know 20% of families drop out of lessons during the colder months. Research from our partner Poolwerx revealed 60% of parents take their children to other activities apart from swimming so we could see the potential to fill the gaps and reach children in other places they love to learn and be happy,” he said.
“Dance is the most popular activity outside of playgroup, so it was obvious where we needed to start in this crusade for more access to education. This partnership ensures tens of thousands of children will now receive vital water safety education all year round.”
Emma Lawrence Kids Alive Operations Manager said the initiative also aligned with the Australian Water Safety Strategy (AWSS) 2030.
“The AWSS identified the under-fives as one of the most vulnerable groups to drowning and recognised the need for further education to this group,” she said. “Resources are tight especially in regional areas and the spread of locations of READY SET DANCE will help bring our message to the right areas. Drowning is an issue all year round not just in Summer, 20% of drownings still occur in Winter** so the more children that learn and understand the risks with water the better.
“Our goal is zero drownings in the under fours and we will continue to pursue new ways to teach this precious group.”
The Kids Alive songs will be rolled out across all READY SET DANCE from next term.
*Poolwerx research 1000 + sample Pure Profile online
** Royal Life Saving Drowning Report 2020