Summer is round the corner and this means pool season! While backyard swimming pools offer fantastic fun for families, they can also pose a serious threat to young children. In fact, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Australian children under 5 years of age.
The City is raising awareness about the importance of maintaining the safety of backyard pools and are encouraging the local community to take 10 minutes to check and maintain their pool gate, barrier, and its surrounds.
The City urges pool and spa owners to take 10 minutes to check and maintain their pool gate, barrier and its surrounds. Self-assessment checklists can give you a sign about whether your pool or spa barrier meets the relevant Australian Standards. There are different standards depending on when your pool was installed. To find the right self-assessment checklist, you will need to know when the pool or spa was installed. Visit the Pools and Spas page to learn more.
While active supervision is the best protection against childhood drowning, no parent can watch a young child 24 hours a day. Here are some of the common issues with pool barriers that the City’s Inspectors routinely identify:
1. Secure Your Pool
- Install self-latching gates and fences.
- Remove climbable objects around the pool area.
2. Portable Pools Matter
- Know the safety laws regarding portable pools (30cm+ deep).
- Always empty and store them properly after use.
3. Self-Assessment Checklist
- Regularly assess your pool barriers using our self-assessment checklists. Make sure your pool meets the relevant Australian Standards (link to page).
4. Active Supervision
- Keep a close eye on kids around the pool.
- Consider enrolling your child in swimming lessons for added safety.
Portable pools can also pose a safety risk, especially for children under the age of five. Even in a small portable pool with very little water, it only takes seconds for a child to drown.
Inflatable and portable pools can present a danger as they are not usually fenced and may not be completely emptied after use. Pool fencing laws apply to pools, including portable pools containing water 30cm deep or more.