Little Splashers take first step to water safety

Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope recently had over 100 children under two years old and their parents participating in a week-long infant water safety program - Surfees Little Splashers.

Surfees Little Splashers is a water confidence program that focuses on four key areas; supervision, rescue skills, restricted access and water skills.

Held during the summer holidays as part of the Centre's Community FOCUS initiative, the week-long program included two information and three water sessions.

Covering the four key areas, the program encouraged parents to bond with their children in the water, while familiarising them to the water environment and water safety skills.

Some of the items that were covered included:

• Restricting pool access in their own homes
• Always keeping an eye on their children
• Never use floatation devices as a substitution
• Keep rescue equipment next to the pool
• Learn CPR

Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Alan Pendleton explained "everyone knows the importance of teaching a child to swim.

"We are pleased at how well received and successful the Surfees Little Splashers program was.

"All of our aquatic facilities are committed to water safety and being able to offer a program for free is just one of the many ways Council is trying to get the water safety message across."

Surfees Little Splashers was part of Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope's Community FOCUS campaign, which is aimed to bring the community together in a fun environment offering an opportunity to gain confidence, unite friends and learn safe practises.

For more information go to www.blcs.blacktown.nsw.gov.au

2nd September 2009 - LIBRARY OPENED AT BLACKTOWN LEISURE CENTRE

14th July 2009 - SURFEES SWIM SCHOOL HITS RECORD NUMBERS