Water toys
How to choose safe inflatable toys and swimming aids and how to use them safely.
New Zealanders love water activities – from splashing around in an inflatable paddling pool in the backyard to visits to swimming pools and the beach. Inflatable toys add to the fun and swimming aids can help support a child in the water and help them learn to swim.
However inflatable toys are not designed to keep children safe in the water so you still need to supervise the child and think about whether the toy is suitable for the situation.
Water Safety NZ has advice on lifejackets and other water safety devices, and how to keep your kids safe around water.
Visit the Water Safety NZ website.
Information on the safety requirements relating to swimming pools can be obtained from your local council.
Before you buy water toys
Think about whether the toy is suitable for the age of the child and the type of activity.
Look for water and flotation toys that comply with the requirements of the standards AS 1900 and AS/NZS8124. These standards set out requirements for construction and also the provision of warnings in relation to safe use.
Make sure you read and comply with all instructions provided with a water or flotation toy and pay particular attention to the suitable age of use and any advice around where the item can safely be used.
How to use water toys safely
Close supervision is the key to helping ensure children have fun in the water safely and also teaching children to swim can go a long way to reducing the risk of accidents.
Care does have to be taken however the type of water or flotation toys children have access to along with where and how they are used.
Toys which might be appropriate for use in the paddling pool may well be totally inappropriate at the beach or swimming hole down on the river. A toy that is suitable for say a 10 year old may not be safe to use for a 4 year old. It is therefore important to think about when and where the water toy will be used, and who is going to use it.
