Toddler drowns in backyard pool days after launch of safety campaign

The young boy was found facedown in the water and couldn’t be revived, prompting reminders for parents about water safety.

An 18-month-old child has drowned in a backyard pool in Perth’s south.

It happened on Sunday in Murdoch, about 12km from Perth’s CBD, when the boy was found floating facedown in the body of water.

It’s understood other children were playing nearby at the time.

The boy was pulled from the water, with adults performing CPR until paramedics arrived and rushed the boy to Fiona Stanley Hospital, but he couldn’t be revived.

An 18-month-old child was found facedown in a backyard pool in Murdoch. Picture: Google Maps

The boy’s death comes just days after Royal Life Saving Australia (RLSA) launched a campaign warning parents that the risk of a child drowning triples once they turn one.

RLSA’s research found 222 children aged one had drowned in Australia over the last 20 years – 40 per cent of all drownings for children under the age of five.

Speaking on the research, Royal Life Saving chief executive Justin Scarr said parents needed to be aware of the heightened risk and stay vigilant.

“As children become more mobile, they are curious and unpredictable. It is vital you keep constant watch and restrict access to water around the home,” Mr Scarr said.

It follows an incident in October in which a seven-year-old boy was pulled unconscious from the water at a public pool in the northern suburb of Balga.

The local council, City of Stirling, issued a reminder following the incident, urging parents to keep an eye on their children and to not be stuck on their phones while their kids are near water.