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Melbourne, Australia

National Van Run reminds pool owners to “Keep Watch”

Australian Franchise News – 20-09-11

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Over 75 PoolWerx mobile pool service vans across Australia will take part in the first PoolWerx nationwide Van Run on Sunday September 25 to remind all pool owners to ‘Keep Watch’ on children around water this swimming season. 

PoolWerx franchise partners and team members in each state will drive in convoy from one side of their capital city to the other in an effort to spread the Royal Life Saving Society Australia’s (RLSSA) important ‘Keep Watch’ message.

PoolWerx CEO John O’Brien said the Van Run aimed to alert Australians to the importance of child safety around the pool area.

“This is the first time we’ve had our franchise partners in all states participating so we hope to reach more pool owners than ever this year,” he said.

“With the release of the RLSSA National Drowning Report 2011this week, now is the perfect time to highlight to parents and carers just how important child water safety awareness is.”

“2010 saw 35 cases of fatal drownings in home swimming pools, with 46% of these deaths being children five years old or younger.”*

“Child drowning is preventable and we are absolutely committed to driving national efforts to ensure safer aquatic environments for our young kids.”

“Now that spring is here Australians need to be extremely vigilant about pool safety. Through the PoolWerx Van Run we aim to help raise national awareness about the importance of supervising children around the pool area and maintaining a ‘drowning proof’ pool zone.”

RLSSA Chief Executive Officer Rob Bradley said community-driven initiatives such as the PoolWerx Van Run were the most effective ways to spread the message.

“Children under five are the most vulnerable in the backyard pool environment and the most critical factor for their safety is educating parents,” he said.

“Each and every person who can help spread the message will move us closer to achieving our goal of zero backyard drownings this swimming season.”

Keep Watch encourages parents and carers to take four key steps to reduce child drowning risk:

  • Supervise children around the pool
  • Restrict access to water locations
  • Familiarise children with water
  • Learn resuscitation

All Poolwerx operators are trained to assess backyard and commercial pool areas and provide safety recommendations to ensure your pool is a drowning-proof zone. To contact PoolWerx for a safety assessment call 1800 009 000.