Private pools with more than 30cm of water must
have compliant safety barriersPool gates should never be propped openSafety requirements also apply to portable pools
and aquatic toys

The
Cook Government is urging Western Australians to ensure swimming pool fences
and gates are installed, maintained, and used correctly to help kids stay safe
this summer.

Under
the State’s building laws, private swimming pools, spa pools, or portable pools
that contain water more than 30 centimetres deep are required to have compliant
safety barriers.

While active
adult supervision remains the top protection for young children around water, compliant
safety barriers provide vital potentially life-saving restrictions for young
children.

Sadly,
swimming pool drownings remain one of the leading causes of accidental death
and life-changing injury for Australian children under the age of five.

Royal
Life Saving data shows more than 40 per cent of toddler drowning deaths occur
in domestic pools, with access usually via the pool gate.

Propped-open
pool gates are a particular risk factor for young children, who may also enter
a pool area by climbing on furniture, toys, plant pots, and other objects.

While
portable or temporary pools are popular summer purchases for families or
Christmas presents, they are subject to the same barrier requirements as
built-in pools.

Parents
and carers are also reminded that aquatic toys and flotation aids are not
designed to be safety devices. Age and weight restrictions should be checked for
these products and and warning labels and instructions should be folloed to
ensure proper assembly and use.

More
information on pool barriers, including a checklist for homeowners, is
available at lgirs.wa.gov.au/rules-for-pools

Comments attributed to Commerce Minister Dr Tony Buti:

“Spending time in backyard
pools is a staple of the Western Australian school holidays and festive period.

“Tragically, they can be
the location of drownings and catastrophic injuries for young children. These
devastating incidents can happen quickly, silently, and even in relatively
shallow water.

“Western Australia’s
robust building laws require a compliant pool fence to be installed around all
pools and spas that contain more than 30 centimetres of water to restrict
access by young children. This includes portable or temporary pools.

“However,
these barriers are only effective if they are used correctly. Pool gates must
never be propped open and should self-close and latch every time.

“I am calling on all
Western Australians to ensure young children are actively supervised by an
adult near water and pool barriers are in good working order.”

Comments attributed to
Royal Life Saving Society WA CEO Peter Leaversuch:

“With the warm weather and holiday season
approaching, it is vital parents and carers keep constant watch and restrict
access to water around the home. This is the time of year to check your pool
fence and gate are in working order.

“If there is a lapse in supervision, a
correctly installed and regularly maintained pool barrier can prevent your
child from drowning.

“Always check you’ve closed the pool gate
behind you, never leave the gate propped open, and ensure you restrict
children’s access to outdoor areas without adult supervision.

“Drowning in children is quick and silent, and
a momentary lapse of supervision can be a matter of life and death. It is
essential young children are not left in the care of older children when around
water.

“Our Keep Watch program promotes four key
messages:

Supervise: actively supervise
children around water and stay within arm’s reach;Restrict: restrict children’s access
to water;Teach: teach children water safety
skills; and  Respond: learn how to respond in an
emergency.” 

“We want to remind parents and carers that kids
can’t help themselves around water; so you need to.”