Having a swimming pool in your backyard can be a wonderful source of family fun, but it also comes with a great deal of responsibility.
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Pool owners should take every step possible to make their backyard pool, including portable pools and spas, safe for all children.
Restricting access is one of the most important ways to ensure children do not gain entry to a pool area without adult supervision.
Each state in Australia has different pool fencing regulations so it is important that pool owners know what these are and ensure their pool is compliant.
According to Kids Alive founder and former Australian Olympic swimming coach Laurie Lawrence faulty gates are the major cause of toddler drownings in backyard pools in Australia.
Kids Alive – Do The Five encourage you to: 1. Fence the pool, 2. Shut the gate, 3. Learn to swim, 4. Supervise and 5. Learn to resuscitate.
“While we advocate these five key ways to protect toddlers around the pool, it’s worth bringing to people’s attention the underlying problems related to pool gates. We can do much better when it comes to safeguarding gates,” Mr Lawrence said.
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Faulty pool gates or latch mechanisms, which can prevent the gate from self closing, are a common way children get beyond the pool barrier.
“Another common and annoying problem with pool gates is that they are often propped open by older children and adults, providing unauthorised toddler access to the pool area. This opens up the dangerous pool to inquisitive tots, whose entry into the pool is mostly “silent”, providing almost no notification to parents or carers,” Mr Lawrence said.
When preparing your pool this summer do a full safety compliance check and make any necessary repairs. A council or independent certifier can also complete a thorough inspection.
Once your pool is safe, enjoy a swim but stay vigilant.