Accident statistics

• Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death of pre-schoolers in New Zealand.
• Drowning is the second most common cause of death of under five-year-olds across the Auckland Region.
• Toddler drownings in Auckland most commonly occur in domestic pools. 
• In the five years from 1994 to 1998, there were 53 hospitalisations for water immersion injuries in the Auckland region.
• In the five years from 1994 to 1998, there were four pre-school drownings in North Shore City and six hospitalisations for submersions
• Of the 66 drownings in New Zealand since the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act was introduced 40 were in fenced pools as follows:
  
  
  • 11 had a non-compliant gate
  • 8 had a non-compliant (faulty) latching mechanism
  • 7 had access from an open or faulty house door or ranch slider
  • 5 had non-compliant fences
  • 3 fences were climbable (not high enough, or had climbable objects nearby)
  • 6 had lack of supervision or other unknown causes
    
    
• Between January 1, 1980 - July 20, 1987 there were 6 drownings in home spa pools in New Zealand.

Useful links:

WaterSafe New Zealand
Safekids
International Statistics