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!

Swimming pool fences save lives!

New Zealand has one of the highest drowning tolls amongst OECD countries. Since the introduction of the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 the number of children who drown in home pools has declined by 60%. Prior to the Act coming into force, the average drownings of children for the period 1980-1986 was 10. The average child drownings inhome pools over the past five years has been reduced to four per annum.

There remain over 25,000 unfenced home pools around the country. They each represent an injury or death waiting to happen.

The only safe pool environment is one where young children cannot get access to a pool without adult supervision. Children simply do not understand the dangers. That's why you need to fence swimming pools and spa pools.

Pools in rural areas are as much of a hazard to children as pools in urban areas. Which is why all pools, regardless of their location, must be fenced in accordance with the Act. Far too many do not comply with the Act and far too many children die or suffer injury as a result.

The Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 requires that all pools are to be fenced to a standard that will prevent young children from gaining access to the pool.

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