Tweed Shire Council is reminding pool owners and tenants to check safety barriers and supervise children closely as backyard pools see increased use this summer.
The reminder comes as hot weather drives more people to their pools, with Council stressing the importance of compliance with the Swimming Pools Act to prevent tragic accidents.
Tweed Council’s Manager Building and Environmental Health, Iain Lonsdale, said pool owners must take responsibility for both compliance and supervision.
‘With summer here, and pools in more use, it’s imperative that property owners and tenants actively supervise young children at all times when using the swimming pool,’ Mr Lonsdale said.
‘Active supervision is the first line of defence. Just like at the beach, you should never leave a child unattended near water.’
Mr Lonsdale also highlighted common compliance issues, including faulty or propped-open gates, which can allow children unsupervised access to pool areas. He says that almost 90 per cent of pools inspected across the region have gates that don’t latch properly.
‘This fault can allow a child to easily open the gate and enter the pool enclosure,’ he said. ‘We also regularly see gates propped open with pot plants, rocks or other objects for convenience – a dangerous practice that can have tragic consequences.’
By law, property owners must:
- ensure the pool is surrounded with a child-resistant safety barrier that separates the swimming pool(s) from any residential building and any place adjoining the property.
- keep doors and gates that provide access to the swimming pool closed.
- display a cardiopulmonary resuscitation sign (CPR) near the pool (including portable pools). The sign must be in good condition and easily readable from 3 metres away.
Find more information here, or to check for current compliance visit swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au.
