- One-year-olds accounted for almost two-thirds (64%) of drowning deaths among children under five last year
- Under-five drowning deaths fell to 11 – 39% below the 10-year average
- Kids Alive is calling for greater access to early swimming and water safety education as new data highlights declining skills and inequalities in drowning risk
Kids Alive is urging parents to start swimming lessons early, with one-year-olds accounting for almost two-thirds (64%) of under-five drowning deaths last year – an age when children are increasingly mobile but have little understanding of danger around water.
Encouragingly, drowning deaths among children under five fell to 11 (39% below the 10-year average), reflecting the impact of sustained investment in water safety education, pool fencing and legislation.
However, the latest National Drowning Report also points to emerging challenges, including overall declining swimming and water safety skills and significant inequalities in drowning risk.
Drowning rates are twice as high among people living in the most disadvantaged areas and almost three times higher in regional areas compared to major cities, highlighting the importance of improving access to swimming lessons and water safety education.
The call to start swimming lessons early comes ahead of the national Swim Into Summer campaign, running 28 September – 2 October 2026, which gives families free access to five online lessons designed to complement formal swim instruction and help young children start building fundamental swimming and water safety skills. Swim schools supporting the campaign will also be offering free swimming lessons to kick-start the life-saving activity.
Laurie Lawrence, founder of Kids Alive, said the latest figures showed the impact sustained drowning prevention efforts can make.
“Seeing under-five drowning deaths 39% below the 10-year average is really encouraging. It shows that the messages around supervision, pool fencing, water safety and learning to swim are getting through.
“But one-year-olds are still our most vulnerable. They’re curious, they’re quick and they have no understanding of the danger water can pose. That’s why we need to start early and keep teaching our little ones how to be safer around water.”
Emma Lawrence, National Operations Manager at Kids Alive, said making swimming and water safety education accessible to more families was an important part of that effort.
“Cost, location and time can all get in the way of children accessing swimming lessons. Swim Into Summer provides parents a free teaching tool they can access no matter where they live.
“These lessons don’t replace learning with a qualified swim teacher but for families who can’t access lessons right now they can give their child a valuable head start.”
The online resources cover water familiarisation, breath control, submersion, floating and propulsion.
Quotes: Sam Riley - Olympian and owner of Sam Riley Swim Schools
Sam Riley, Olympian and founder of Sam Riley Swim Schools is lending her support to the campaign and urged families to take advantage of the free resources on offer and enhance the skills being learnt at swim schools.
“Drowning is silent, fast, and it happens when we least expect it - especially around the home where families assume it is safest for their children. My children all started learning to swim around 6 months old because it is vital to get children safe and comfortable around water as early as possible.
“Every child who learns to swim is a life potentially saved. The free lessons are about giving families tools and skills to keep their little ones safe. Swim Into Summer is a great way for families to get an introduction to. ”
To register or access the five free online lessons, visit: Kids Alive – Swim Into Summer
Contact details:
For interviews with Laurie Lawrence or Sam Riley - contact Trina McColl 0413 922 284 or [email protected]
