Backyard Pool Safety A Must Over Summer

Published on 11 December 2019

With the weather heating up residents of the Snowy Valleys are being encouraged to make backyard swimming pool safety a priority this summer.

Mayor James Hayes said tragically, every year children die or are seriously injured in backyard pools.

“Being around the pool is part of our summer culture but it's so important to remember to be sensible and safe around water especially for young children,” Cr Hayes said.

According to an in-depth study into child drownings 91% of fatal drownings in NSW between 2002 and 2017 occurred in backyard swimming pools.

Many of these were attributed to unfenced or inappropriately fenced pools with a staggering 33% of private swimming pool drowning instances occurring because the pool gate was propped open.

While pool fencing requirements vary depending on when the pool was built and where it’s located, NSW legislation usually requires swimming pools including portable and inflatable swimming pools capable of being filled to a depth of greater than 30cm to be surrounded by a compliant four-sided child-resistant safety barrier at all times.

In the case of inflatable or portable swimming pools that hold less than 30cm of water, owners should always empty and store away the pool when not in use.

Pool owners should always remember to:

• Ensure children have constant adult supervision within arm’s reach without distractions;
• Always actively supervise children in and around the water;
• Ensure pool gates and latches are in working order, never prop gates open;
• Ensure members of the household learn CPR;
• Familiarise children with water and teach them to swim, but never assume they are not likely to drown.

“If your children are not confident in the water, now is a perfect time to take advantage of the January and February learn-to-swim classes to be held at our Snowy Valleys’ Pools,” said Cr Hayes.

“And if you don’t want to risk the dangers of a backyard pool all our Council pools have free entry and are open most days for the whole family to enjoy”.

For further information or advice on installing a backyard pool please contact Council’s Development and Planning Department.

For information on Learn-to-Swim classes visit Council’s website www.svc.nsw.gov.au/learn-to-swim

-ENDS-

Stats – The NSW Study of Drowning and Near Drowning in Children (0-16 years) 1 July 2015 – 31 March 2018