Kidsafe Media Release
Red Alert Over Near Toddler Drowning In Wheelie Bin
Friday 8 January 2010
As Victoria heads towards 36 degrees today Kidsafe Victoria has released a
statewide RED ALERT to parents over the high level of drowning risk to toddlers in
homes storing water in buckets or wheelie bins.
The warning comes following a near drowning of a four year old boy who yesterday fell head
first into a wheelie bin in the suburb of Fawkner north of Melbourne.
The boy was turning purple when he was found face down in the wheelie bin just after 1pm .The bin
had enough water in it to submerge the boy's head.
Dr Mark Stokes, President of Kidsafe Victoria said, ”With governments and water authorities all
over Victoria urging the community to collect water in buckets from the shower or in wheelie
bins parents need to be alert to the drowning dangers of storing water”.
“There are millions of buckets of water being stored in homes every day in Victoria with each
bucket representing a potential drowning situation or near drowning which can leave children
with severe brain damage”.
“Many parents are unaware of the risk with the main focus being on saving water.”
Dr Stokes said that with the ongoing water restrictions in Melbourne people are finding all sorts
of ways to store and move water including buckets and wheelie bins which are particularly
dangerous when filled with water.
“If a child climbed and fell into a wheelie bin head first the shape of the bin and its
depth would mean the child’s body would remain head down as happened today”.
“With people wanting to collect water over sized buckets such as nappy buckets has become
popular, and without a lid these buckets are a major risk.”
Kidsafe Victoria is urging parents across Victoria to immediately assess how they are storing
water, and to remove drowning hazards such as buckets of water.
“Isolate the buckets of water from your children or empty buckets immediately to
protect children is our clear and simple life saving message.” “Parents who are visiting
with toddlers should also carry out a check to see if any buckets of water are stored in the
home they are visiting,” Dr Stokes said.
Media Enquiries Dr Mark Stokes President Kidsafe Victoria Mobile: 0408 038 267
Robert Caulfield Vice President Kidsafe 0412 381 306
Ron Smith Corporate Media Communications 0417 329 201
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