Cumberland Council is promoting the importance of safety and awareness around waterways by launching a Water Safety Campaign in a bid to prevent drowning related incidents.
The campaign informs residents on safe swimming practices by providing educational material and highlights Council’s swimming and water safety programs.
Cumberland Mayor Lisa Lake, who drove the initiative, said that she was concerned to hear about the number of drowning deaths and near drowning incidents that occurred across Australia and in our own backyard.
“Drowning is still the leading cause of death in children aged 1-3 years old. We are told by Royal Life Saving Australia that young males and seniors continue to be at greater risk of drowning, so are people from multicultural communities due to cultural differences in swimming ability and water safety knowledge,” she said.
As part of the campaign, water safety will be taught to children and their families in Cumberland with Poppy the Possum hosting a story time and helping teach the Living with Water Education Program at Council’s Education and Child Care Centres. This program teaches children about water safety, what to do if there is an emergency and how to keep themselves safe around water.
We will also be following Deputy Mayor, Councillor Suman Saha, as he takes the plunge and joins the Learn to Swim Program . The three-part series will showcase Councillor Saha’s journey as he learns to swim as an adult and develops the necessary skills to stay water safe.
Mayor Lake also said that Council recognises the importance of water safety and how learning to swim can help keep our community safe.
“By showing everyone how easy and enjoyable swimming lessons are, we are hopeful that others will be encouraged to give swimming lessons a go too,” she said.
Council currently offers Learn to Swim classes at each of its Swim Centres for all ages and skill levels. Guildford, Granville and Auburn Swim Centres are also open to the public all year round, and offer school group, squad and senior aqua fitness programs.
The campaign includes a range of educational material available online and at Council’s community and recreational centres.
For more information about water safety or Council’s swimming programs visit: http://www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/swimming-pools