Water is a particularly attractive material, the muddier the better! While there is no substitute for supervision, it is those moments when we are distracted that are potentially the most dangerous.

Here in Australia, we are fortunate enough to have the weather for backyard pools. But the private pool is the biggest hazard for young children.

The idea of fencing is to separate the child from the hazard. Unfortunately, children drown quickly and silently because when a small childs head becomes immersed, their natural reaction is to cry out for mum.

This immediately fills their lungs with water, which is why drowning is so quick! It is so important that we make sure that the potential drowning hazards are fully secured or eliminated, so if your child does escape from view, they wont get into any trouble.

Pools must be fenced, with an approved child safety gate. This is a device that cannot be opened by young children. With this fence, it is quite safe for your young children to play in the garden. However, if they are swimming, always watch them.

If you have friends over, dont prop the gate open for convenience, and think twice about putting things against the fence as the more determined child may climb over.

What about smaller ponds and paddling pools? For ponds, buy a fencing panel and fit it over the water. Another idea is to empty the water and fill the pond with sand until the child is older. Always empty paddling pools after use, and store them so they cannot fill up again from rain water.

With spas, if it is inside the house, it should be secured by a lockable door. And lock the door!!!!

Also never leave a child in the bath or pool while you go off to answer the phone! This is especially important as so many children have drowned while their parents were on the phone.

A good idea is to go out into the yard and make sure there are no dangers such as post holes, buckets or rainwater containers, or anywhere else where water can collect.

Consider all potential water hazards; Keep your top loading washing machine lid closed, the nappy bucket out of reach and secured with the lid. Also make sure when you go visiting, make sure that there is no water hazard in your friends garden.

Drowning

The statistics show bath time drowning as one of the major causes of water related deaths at home. In the majority of cases what tends to happen is that while bathing an older child the baby left outside the bathroom starts crying for your attention. and so you leave the toddler in the bath. The toddler could stand up and slip over. So, if you are bathing your toddler take the baby into the bathroom with you.

Avoid leaving a young child unattended in the bath, even if its in the care of an older child.

The key is supervision at all times.

This means not answering the phone or the door while the child is in the bath. Take the phone off the hook, or take the child out of the bath.

Pools

• Never be further than an arms reach from your children even if they are wearing inflatable swimming aids.

• Contact your local council to determine its legal requirements for installing and maintaining a pool.

• Always keep a telephone and important phone numbers at the poolside.

• Take a CPR course and stay up-to-date on rescue techniques. This may prove to be a lifesaver!

• Contact your local council to determine its legal requirements for installing and maintaining a pool.

Scalding

Babies and young children tend to be scalded by hot water, because unlike us they don't jump out if the water is too hot, they will just stand there yelling OUCH!!!

The temperature of the water is the key factor to consider. As adults we can quite happily shower in temperatures of degrees. Young children and babies need much cooler water to be comfortable.

At 50 degrees, it takes many minutes to burn a child's flesh, but once that temperature rises towards even 55 degrees and up, the scalding can take place in a matter of seconds.

Test the water with your elbow, not your hand. The reason for this is that if your hand has been in hot water, say washing up, your senses might be adjusted to hot water, and give you the wrong impression of the bath's true temperature. Your elbow won't be confused!.

Some hot water heaters can be adjusted to limit the temperature of the water to 50 degrees. Talk to your energy supply company or your plumber or electrician.

There are also mixing taps that mix the water to a pre set temperature. Again. contact your plumber. When filling a bath, run the hot and cold together.

Turn the taps off tightly.

There are also tap guards available to stop toddlers from turning on the taps.