Pool and spa maintenance franchise Poolwerx has once again partnered with Laurie Lawrence’s Kids Alive – Do the Five program to bring Learn2Swim Week 2018 to Australian kids everywhere.

The water safety initiative, now in its fourth year aims to provide every child in Australia under the age of five with the opportunity to learn how to swim.

John O’Brien, CEO of Poolwerx said the initiative not only aligned with his company’s values but represented a key component of the franchise’s annual water safety campaign, which also included the successful April Pools Day campaign run earlier this year.

“Poolwerx is continuing to make a difference with campaigns like this, which address key safety issues,” O’Brien said.

“We know the ability to swim is one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of childhood drowning, so we need to introduce more kids to water familiarisation and swimming lessons as early as possible.”

Currently in Australia, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death in children under the age of five and O’Brien is hoping that initiatives like this can help curb the statistic.

“We know that the message to parents about the importance of teaching under 5s to swim is getting through and this is so important, as children aged 0-4 years are at the highest risk for both fatal and non-fatal drownings.”

Poolwerx has served as a partner for the program in the past and O’Brien believes community-based initiatives like Learn2Swim Week provide businesses with the opportunity to connect and make a difference within their local communities.

“As a leader in the pool and spa industry, we have both the opportunity and the responsibility to promote safe water practices in our communities,” O’Brien said,

Learn2Swim Week 2018 will be held during the October school holidays from October 2 – October 9 around the country.