Swimming Pool Safety Guide

IEH SWIMMING POOL H SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY As a swimming pool or spa owner you are responsible for safety. Drowning is the biggest cause of accidental death for young children. Most occur in private backyard swimming pools. You can reduce the risk of accidents occurring in your swimming pool by adequately fencing your pool and ensuring young children are supervised at all times. FENCING 1. The fence is an effective barrier to young children. 2. It is permanent. 3. Young children can't crawl under or climb over it by using foot and hand holds. 4. It is at least 1.2 metres high. 5. Any boundary fences used as part of the child-safety barrier are at least 1.8 metres high on the side that faces the pool, with a 900Omm non-climbable zone at the top inside of the fence; a boundary barrier may be climbable on the neighbour's side. FILTRATION In-ground or above-ground swimming pools and spas must have a water recirculation and filtration system that complies with Australian standards. This is to reduce the risk of a young child being trapped by suction or hair entanglement. MAINTENANCE As a swimming pool owner you must make sure that all required swimming pool safety features are maintained in working order at all times. Gates should never be propped open and it is very important that a gate closes and latches every time it is opened. SUPERVISION Children can move quickly and do not recognise the dangers of a pool. Close child supervision will help to reduce the number of drownings in private swimming pools. DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR A NEW POOL Development approval is required for a new swimming pool, spa pool and safety fencing. Your local council will check: 1. The details and location of safety barriers 2. The safety of the pump 3. The adequacy of structural support for the swimming pool. Fencing must be installed before a new pool is filled with water. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY CRYSTAL POOLS www.crystalpools.com.au