Summer safety checklist
Before the holidays, check the water first.
Drowning is fast and quiet, and summer is when most young children drown. Work through these 12 checks at home and wherever you are staying. Nothing you tick is sent to us.
Work through the list before the holidays and again when you arrive somewhere new. The water checks matter most.
Do the fence test first
A pool fence only works when it is closed, latched and clear. Walk the barrier once a week in summer and check that the gate shuts on its own, the latch catches every time and nothing has been stacked against the fence. In most states and territories, private pools and spas 30 cm deep or more need a compliant safety fence, and rules vary by location. If you rent, ask the agent or landlord who is responsible for repairs and inspections.
Never cover the pram
A muslin or blanket over a pram can look like shade, but it restricts airflow and traps heat. Use the pram's canopy, a clip-on shade or a parasol, and check your baby regularly. Shade is not a force field either: UV can reflect off sand, water and concrete, so keep using clothing, hats and sunscreen.
Cars heat faster than you think
Never leave a child in a parked car, even for a minute with the window down. Cars can reach dangerous temperatures quickly, and young children heat up faster than adults. Put your bag or phone in the back seat as a reminder, and check the back seat every time you get out.
What to do in an emergency
If a child is missing near water, check the pool, spa, bath, dam and any other water source first. If you find a child in the water, get them out, call 000 and start CPR if they are not breathing normally. For suspected poisoning, call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26.
Make it a routine, not a one-off
Recheck the list when the season changes, when you go on holiday, when visitors come with young children, and after storms or garden work. If you have a pool, book a fence inspection and a CPR course this month. Our water safety guide and sun safety guide explain the evidence behind each check.
This checklist is general information, not medical advice. It does not replace a pool fence inspection, a first aid course or advice from your GP or child and family health nurse.