Kidsafe - Closing the Gate on Backyard Pool Drowning

Kidsafe have recently launched the 'Close the Gate on Backyard Pool Drowning' campaign aimed towards Victorian backyard swimming pool owners to conduct safety checks on all swimming pool and spa safety fences in the lead up to the summer months.

Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Australian children under 5 years of age. Statistics recently released from Life Saving Victoria show that during the 12 month period from July 2012 – June 2013, 3 Victorian children aged 0-4 years drowned in backyard swimming pools.

Robert Caulfield, President of Kidsafe Victoria said, “Studies have shown pool fencing, particularly isolation fencing, to be effective in reducing the risk of drowning. However, evidence suggests that a large number of child drowning incidents occur as a result of pool fencing that is faulty or non-compliant with Australian Standards”.

Here are some tips for consumers when installing or maintaining a pool or spa fence:

• Fences and safety barriers are required for all swimming pools and spas with a depth greater than 30cm – about the length of a school ruler.
• You must get a building permit before constructing the fence.
• You need to complete the work within six months of starting it.
• You should engage a Registered Building Practitioner to do the work if the value exceeds $5000 (including labour and materials).
• All gates must have a self-closing, self-latching device regardless of when the pool was built.
• Direct access from the door of a house to the pool area is not allowed for new pools and spas.
• Indoor swimming pools and spas must have self-closing, self-latching doors that swing away from the pool or spa area.
• Fencing must not be installed near trees that children can climb up and over to access the pool or spa, and you should never place objects near pool fencing that children can climb on to get over the fence.
• Never prop open any gate providing access to the swimming pool or spa. Mr Hogan said following this tips will help ensure a safer swimming environment for children.

All pool and spa owners are encouraged to utilise the pool and spa area checking tool, developed by Life Saving Victoria. This includes common faults/non-compliance issues such as:

• Gates that don’t self-latch or self-close.
• Climbable objects in the ‘non climbable’ zone outlined in the Australian Standards (e.g. pot plants, chairs, pool pumps near the pool fencing which could allow a child to climb over the fence).
• Excess space under the fence, and;
• Misuse (e.g. propping the pool gate open).

Summer is a time to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends. Unfortunately in the past too many children have drowned in backyard pools and spas because there hasn’t been fencing or the fencing hasn’t be the right type or hasn’t been maintained.

A free water safety fact sheet can be downloaded here.