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Keep watch on pool safety

Posted on November 17, 2009, 4:04pm and updated on November 19, 2009 at 8:05 am

Pool fence
Home swimming pools are the deadliest aquatic locations for South Australian toddlers, according to figures showing that of 32 preventable drownings in the past year, more than half occurred in backyard pools.

In an effort to fight the rising death rate, Royal Life Saving has urged people across South Australia to check the backyard swimming pool this weekend as part of the 2009 Keep Watch campaign.

Royal Life Saving chief executive Rob Bradley said thousands of pools are potential death traps because of loose, unsafe fencing or fence gates that don’t work properly.

“In the past 12 months toddler-drowning deaths in Australia have risen dramatically against the five-year average; 59pc of all toddler drowning deaths that took place in the last 12 months happened in a backyard swimming pool,” he said.

“As part of the 2009 Keep Watch campaign we urge South Australians to take action this weekend and put their home pool through a massive safety check.”

Mr Bradley said one of the big problems was that people thought their fences were safe when in fact erosion, storm damage or wear and tear may have created weakness.

He also said many people left pool gates propped open or had gates that closed, but didn’t lock.

Mr Bradley said he was deeply concerned that up to 80pc of South Australian backyard pools were simply non compliant with current safety standards.

Mount Gambier pool installation company, Donahue’s Leisure, said it would support the event with the target of zero preventable backyard drowning deaths in the future.

Donahue’s store manager Robyn Sandeman said all pool retailers worked with and educated clients to ensure pools were safe, healthy swimming environments.

“There are no second chances with children near pools, and you can’t put a price on the life of a child,” Ms Sandeman said.

“Swimming pool fences should be no more than 100 millimetres from the ground and at least 1.2 metres high, with no vertical gaps more than 100 millimetres apart, self-closing gates and self-closing latches.

“Any pool over 300ml deep must comply with pool safe fencing.

“People often underestimate the dangers around a home pool.

“All pools in Australia have to be fenced; it’s a legal requirement.”

Ms Sandeman said vegetation growing around a pool should be cut back as it could be used by curious kids to climb into a pool.

She also said pool chemicals should be stored securely out of reach of children.

Mr Bradley said although the increased toddler drowning rate should be a wakeup call for pool owners, Royal Life Saving still wanted kids to have fun around water.

“People need to be vigilant about safety because time spent in water helps children’s physical and intellectual development, and the ability to safely enjoy water benefits us throughout our lives,” he said.

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Comments

One Response to “Keep watch on pool safety”

  1. Robert on November 17th, 2009 5:24 pm 1

    Yes, most drowning are preventable with adult supervision and a good pool fence. thanks for the article and info.

    http://www.clean-pool-and-spa.com/swimming-safety.html

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