DROWNING is the leading cause of accidental death in children aged 0-4 years.
Statistics from Royal Life Saving Australia’s National Drowning Report shows that in 2020-2021, 25 children aged 0-4 years drowned in Australia, with swimming pools being the most common location where these incidents occurred. This is an increase from 2019-2020, where 12 children aged 0-4 years drowned in Australia.
Drowning deaths in young children are preventable. It is important for all pool owners to know the right safety precautions, to keep children safe in and around swimming pools.
According to a Hornsby Shire Council compliance team member, the most common safety issues that pool inspectors find around Hornsby are pool gates, fences and signs.
The most common safety issues they found are:
- Pool gates not being self-closing and self-latching from any position
- Pool gates being propped open
- The pool fence being less than 1.2m in height, or having items such as a garden bed that reduces the height of the fence to less than 1.2m
- Items such as vegetation, tables, chairs, etc, being too close to the fence, which may help young children to climb the barrier
- No pool warning sign (CPR) sign, or the sign is cracked, faded or not clearly visible.
According to a Hornsby Shire Council compliance team member, the most common safety issues that pool inspectors find around Hornsby are pool gates, fences and signs.
It is a pool owner’s responsibility to ensure that their pool barrier complies with all the NSW Swimming Pools Act and Swimming Pools Regulation at all times. Pool owners must also ensure that their pool or spa is registered on the NSW Swimming Pool Register.
To help overcome these risks and keep kids safe around water, the Hornsby Shire Council’s compliance team member encourages pool owners to have their pool barrier assessed by the Council or an accredited E1 Pool Certifier and obtain a Compliance Certificate.
Whilst safety barriers can effectively reduce the risk of drowning incidents, the compliance team member says the most common pool safety misconception is that barriers can stop children’s entrance to pools.
“Pool barriers are installed to slow children down from getting into the pool area; they are not designed to stop them completely,” they said.
It is important to know CPR, the knowledge and skills you learn may save a life. The Sydney Children’s Hospital has developed a free online CPR program for parents.
Course details are available at https://kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/cpr-resuscitation.