Whether it is at the beach or in your backyard pool, swimming is an important part of Australian life.
With a climate like ours, there is nothing better than being able to take the edge off the heat with a dip in some cool refreshing water.
But with water comes certain dangers, so it is important that we do everything in our power to keep our children safe.
Follow all regulations regarding the safety of your swimming pool and teach children to be strong swimmers who are comfortable in the water.
Do this and all that is left is to maintain your pool and invest in equipment such as a good pool pump to keep it clean.
That way it will always be ready and waiting for you to enjoy it.
Start early It is never too early to start getting your child used to water.
In fact the earlier you start, the more natural and normal it will seem to your child.
There are many organisations that specialise in teaching young children and even babies to swim.
Getting professional lessons could be one of the best things you ever do for your child.
Follow all safety regulations relating to pools When you install your pool, make sure that it meets the very highest safety standards, including installation of pool fences and safety barriers.
Regulations are, quite rightly, very strict in this area, so there is no excuse for leaving anything to chance.
These regulations could save your child's life and the peace of mind that proper safety measures will give you are worth their weight in gold.
Supervise your children at all times Swimming pools are great fun for children, and as long as yours meets safety standards there is no reason to be paranoid, but the danger of drowning is impossible to eliminate completely.
Consequently, whatever else you do, the single most important measure you can take to make sure your children remain safe in the water is to supervise them at all times.
Watch them like a hawk and don't allow yourself to become distracted.
Do this and your swimming pool will nothing but a positive part of your child's life.
Make your pool a good place to be It is important that your child sees the water as a positive environment and not one to be feared.
For most children this is quite natural, but some will need a little encouragement.
Make your pool a fun environment where you spend time playing together as a family.
Use a good pool cleaner, to make sure that the pool is always ready for use and that the water is always inviting.
Get your children involved in surf lifesaving Basic swimming skills are one thing, but if your child is going to be safe at the beach as well as in your backyard pool they need to learn how to swim safely in the surf.
Getting them involved in 'Nippers', the surf lifesaving program for children between 5 and 14 years old.
Not only will they develop their own confidence and abilities in the water, but also they will learn valuable skills that could lead them to save the life of someone else in the future.