At Royal Life Saving, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to grow up safe around water. In Australia, pools are a valued part of family life — a place for fun, connection and cooling off — but for young children, they can also pose a serious and silent risk.

The Be Pool Safe campaign focuses on preventing drowning and near-drowning incidents among children aged 0–4 years, particularly in backyard swimming pools and portable or inflatable pools, where the majority of early-childhood drownings occur.

Tragically, children under five remain one of the highest-risk groups for drowning in Australia. Most of these incidents happen quickly, quietly, and close to home — often during short lapses in supervision, or when pool barriers, gates, or covers are missing, faulty, or not used correctly. Portable and inflatable pools add further risk, as they are often set up temporarily, left unattended, or not treated with the same safety controls as permanent pools.

The Be Pool Safe campaign encourages parents, carers and families to take simple but critical actions to keep young children safe around pools. These include maintaining effective pool fencing and self-closing gates, actively supervising children at all times, removing distractions, and ensuring portable pools are emptied, secured, or fenced when not in use.

Research consistently shows that supervision alone is not enough. Drowning can occur in seconds, which is why layers of protection — including physical barriers and preparedness — are essential. Learning CPR, knowing how to respond in an emergency, and understanding the specific risks posed by backyard and portable pools can save a life.

Every pool, no matter how small or temporary, carries risk. A moment of inattention can have lifelong consequences.

By raising awareness, promoting safer pool practices, and supporting families with practical guidance, Be Pool Safe aims to reduce preventable drownings and give children the safest possible start to life around water.

Because when it comes to young children and pools — there are no second chances.