Parents urged to take care with portable pools
Following the tragic drowning of a two year old boy in a portable pool in a Sydney backyard over the Christmas weekend, Royal Life Saving WA is urging parents and carers to take all the proper precautions when using these pools throughout the summer season.
They are a popular Christmas gift, and hundreds are likely set-up in backyards across WA right now, but we're reminding parents and carers that they do pose a real drowning risk for young children.
The recent WA Ombudsman’s investigation found that a quarter of WA toddlers who drowned in private pools between 2009 and 2015 did so in portable pool or spa.
While the best way to prevent toddlers from drowning is adequate adult supervision around water at all times, in the event that parents lose sight of children, taking steps to restrict children’s access to portable pools will also significantly reduce the risk.
Lauren Nimmo, Senior Manager Health Promotion and Research at RLSSWA said “portable pool owners may think that pool fencing rules don’t apply to them, but the fact is that if a portable pool can hold water 300mm (30cm) or more deep it is subject to exactly the same pool fencing legislation as a below-ground pool.“
In Western Australia this legislation means that the pool must be surrounded by a compliant barrier at least 1200mm (1.2m) high on all sides with a self-closing and self-latching gate.
“Portable pool packaging must display warning labels stating that pool fencing legislation applies to the product, but people also need to do their research on the specific barrier requirements before buying one of these pools. The ultimate cost of a $60 inflatable pool may be a sizeable fine from your local council or far more worryingly, the serious injury or even death of a child” said Ms Nimmo.
RLSSWA also recommends that small paddling pools less than 300mm deep should be emptied out after every use and stored on their side to prevent the pool filling with water from rain or sprinklers. Children should also not be left in the care of older siblings around pools of any depth of water.
Further information about portable pool safety can be found at the link below, and those with portable pools in their yard are encouraged to contact their local government to discuss the specific requirements for these pools in their area.
