New data reveals dam drowning risk

Coinciding with Farm Safe Week, Royal Life Saving Society - Australia has released data which shows that more than 100 people drowned in dams in Australia in the past 10 years.

Drawn from Coronial reports and compiled as part of Farm Safe Week to highlight the risks to people living and working on properties with dams, rivers or other water bodies, Royal Life Saving Chief Executive, Justin Scarr says the release of the date shows that rural properties carry very specific drowning risks across the lifespan, from children, to employees working on farms and older farmers.

Scarr advised “in our most recent drowning report, 32% of dam drowning deaths were work-related. Exposure to water in irrigation, aqua-culture and working stock can increase drowning risks on farms.

“The other most at-risk group of drowning on farms is small children. Children love the water and it only takes a moment for a tragedy to occur.

“The risk is heightened on farms because of the large size and remote location of properties, and the fact that it is not always feasible to fence off large bodies of water.

“There are ways to reduce the risk of drowning and we would ask everyone on farms to take action to protect themselves and the people they love.”

These measures include:

• Create safe play areas for children on rural properties which have access to inland waterways, especially dams on private/ residential properties.

• Fill in any unused holes where water can gather such as ditches, dips and postholes.

• Water storage such as wells and tanks should be securely covered.

• Never undertake work near a dam or river alone.

• Refresh your CPR training, particularly in remote locations.

• Install clear safety signage.

• Talk to guests, or workers visiting your property about where dams and rivers are located.

Farm Safe Week is staged from 18th to 24th July.

Click here more information on drowning preventation.

Image: Spillway at the Clarrie Hall Dam in northern NSW.