If a child is injured while playing in water:

  • call Triple Zero (000) if the child is not breathing or responding
  • take the child out of the water and check they are not concussed or seriously injured
  • keep them out of the water if there are any signs of illness or injury.

Injury hazard type

Drowning
Piercing of skin

On this page

About toys used in water and swimming pools

Toys used in water and swimming pools can help children float while they play. These toys come in styles that children can wear, attach to their bodies, hold on to, or sit in.

Toys include:

  • inflatable novelty shapes
  • inflatable toy boats for shallow water
  • rings that don’t attach to the body.

These toys are not swimming and flotation aids.

Girl playing in a floaty in a pool

Risks and injuries from the product

Toys made to use in the water and swimming pools are not safety devices. Children must always be supervised by an adult when playing with these toys in the water.

Children who can't swim may drown if their toy fails or if they do not use it properly. Children injured while playing with a toy in the water are at greater risk of drowning.

Children who are playing, inexperienced, not confident, or are overconfident around water can get into trouble and panic. Drowning can happen very quickly and quietly.

If a child is injured while playing in water

  • Call Triple Zero (000) if the child is not breathing or responding.
  • Take the child out of the water and check they are not concussed or seriously injured.
  • Keep them out of the water if there are any signs of illness or injury.

Things to look for when buying the product

Some serious injuries have happened to children playing with toys in the water and swimming pools.

For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.

Only buy toys used in water and swimming pools that meet the requirements of the aquatic toys mandatory standard.

The mandatory standard does not cover surfboards, bodyboards, inflatable air beds, inflatable boats for deep water, kickboards or beach balls.

  • The toy has a permanent warning.
  • The warning states that the toy is not a lifesaving device and should only be used in shallow water under competent adult supervision.

How to use the product safely

To keep your children safe, make sure you:

  • have an adult constantly supervising your children
  • read the warning labels and packaging
  • follow the instructions for proper assembly and use
  • follow the products age or weight recommendations
  • use the products in shallow water
  • use the products in controlled water environments like swimming pools.

Next steps if a product is unsafe

When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality.

Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.

If you bought a product that doesn’t comply with the mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to us.

Report an unsafe product

If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).

See also

Aquatic toys mandatory standard

Swimming and flotation aids consumer guidance

Swimming and flotation aids mandatory standard