This is a very interesting site on allowing kids to actually (shock horror!) be kids like we were. Go out on their own, imagine that!
This site brings to mind the current push in Queensland to tighten pool fencing laws to force inspections every so many years. The other option is for people to train their kids to swim. I am OK with fencing a pool, but if a kid is going to go to lengths to climb my pool fence, then nothing is stopping that same kid from toddling down the street and falling into the creek.
Do we want to fence every creek and the entire coast line of Oz?