Child Safe Play Areas
Prevent child drowning with a child safe play area
Child safe play areas restrict a child’s access to water by creating a barrier between the child and a drowning hazard such as a swimming pool or bath. They can be used both inside and outside the home to assist parents in the supervision of their children and are also commonly used on farms to prevent children from wandering into dams, rivers, feeding troughs or irrigation channels.
Child safe play areas can be as small and simple as a playpen or as large as a backyard fence. There should be no water bodies or drowning hazards within the play area but they should contain toys and equipment to ensure it is a fun place to play in.
The fence of the child safe play area should be made of sturdy materials that are not easily climbable by children. There should be no gaps between the fence and the ground and the barrier should be high enough to prevent children climbing over them. The gate to the child safe play area should be self-closing and self-latching and should never be propped open under any circumstances.
It is important to remember that child safe play areas do not replace active parental supervision but should be in an area that is easily observable by parents and carers and be regularly maintained to ensure they are always in good working order.
If you would like more information on Child Safe Play Areas visit:
Farmsafe Australia - www.farmsafe.org.au
Marshfield Clinic - www.marshfieldclinic.org/safeplay