Trainee Duty Manager/Lifeguard Tyler Parish with Deputy Shire President Patrick Bertola (photo courtesy Shire of Mundaring)
Shire of Mundaring urges parents to Watch Around Water
The Shire of Mundaring is encouraging parents to heed the Watch Around Water message as its aquatic centres prepare for a busy summer season.
The Bilgoman and Mount Helena Aquatic Centres open for summer on Saturday 22nd October, and Deputy Shire President Patrick Bertola is encouraging all parents and guardians taking their children to the pool to remain vigilant.
“The aquatic centre employees have seen a significant increase in the number of parents and guardians who are glued to their smart phones and not paying attention to children in the water,” he said.
“A pool is no place for a phone. We ask all adults to put their phones away and concentrate on the children in their care, especially those under five years. For this age group parents must be in the water with them and ensure children are within arm’s reach at all times. Both aquatic centres do have life guards, but ultimately children under your care are solely your responsibility.”
The Bilgoman and Mount Helena Aquatic Centres both take part in the Watch Around Water program, which is an education and public awareness program encouraging parents and guardians to recognise that while lifeguards are there to respond to an emergency situation it is ultimately the parents responsibility to keep an eye on their children and ensure they don't get into trouble.
Centres registered with Watch Around Water actively promote this message to their patrons, with aquatic staff encouraing safe supervision practices and providing a safe venue for the community to participate in sport and recreation.
Mr Bertola says “Bilgoman and Mt Helena Aquatic Centres are extremely popular with people across all age groups, and the Shire is proud to continue delivering this service so people can cool off in the hot Perth summers.”
He encourages local residents to make use of the centres across summer and to ensure their visits are a fun day out for their family by staying alert and making sure their children are safe.
Royal Life Saving Society WA congratulates the Shire of Mundaring for actively spreading this important community safety message, and encourages parents and guardians across WA to understand the importance of being fully present with their children around all pool and water environments, and actively supervising at all times.