Home Pools - The Issue

Don't sit on the fence while children drown

There can be few thoughts more stomach-churning for a parent, grandparent or caregiver, than having to contend with a tiny child floating lifeless in their home pool. Children drown quietly and quickly. There's little noise and no drama as a naturally curious child slips into a pool. The only thing you'll hear forever after is the silence!

Prior to the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 coming into force, the average number of drownings of pre-school children for the period 1980-1986 was 10. Since the introduction of the Act the number of pre-school children who have drowned in home pools has declined by 60%. The average number of pre-school child drownings in home pools over the past five years has been reduced to three per annum.

There are over 73,000 home pools around the country and approximately 30% of these do not comply with current fencing legislation. They each represent an injury or death, waiting to happen.

Children have the right to be protected.

It is your responsibility as an adult to ensure the children you are caring for are safe. Unfortunately, the majority of children who drown are alone and unsupervised, or in the care of other children at the time.

To view the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 click on the underlined words above and then search through the alphabetical listing.

It's not a tragedy, it's a crime.

Contrary to popular belief, over 85 percent of children who drown in pools either lived in the home or were invited there as guests. If you own the pool the responsibility for prevention rests with you.  If you sit on the fence over this issue, you commit a crime.  A crime that could mean a child - your own or someone else's - dies in your home or on your property.

What are your priorities?

How can anyone put beauty before brains?  Thoughtful design and planning can enable a fenced pool to be incorporated into a safe and stunning environment.  It is not worth trying to landscape your way around your fencing responsibilities.

Do something about drowning!

It’s true that since the Act was passed in 1987, children have drowned in both fenced and unfenced homes pools. But if all these pools had been fenced in a manner that met the requirements of the Act at the time of the incident, many more of these children would have lived.

If your pool is not fenced at this point, you are not just breaking the law; you also risk breaking your heart. Make the changes now – before it really is too late. If you need specific details on the requirements of the Act, ask for them from your local council.

If you are unsure of the technical details, contact your local building inspector for assistance.

The importance of gates

Most “unauthorised” access by toddlers to pool areas occurs as a result of a gate being inadequately latched or propped open.

• Gate hinges should be self-closing and tension adjustable for added safety.
• Gate latches should have no resistance to closure.
• Use magnetic latches for superior results.