Sapphire Coast News

Are you thinking of buying a portable pool for the kids for Christmas? Beware! That is the message from Bega Valley Shire Council’s environment health co-ordinator, Greg O’Donnell.

“Portable pools are a very popular Christmas present for kids as they are reasonably inexpensive and they are available at many retail outlets. Some manufacturers have warning labels on the packaging relating to seeking council rules and regulations regarding these pools and others don’t carry the labels,” he said

“Any portable pool that can store 30 cm (12 inches) or more deep of water is classified as a swimming pool.

“Under new regulations small portable swimming pools up to 2000 litre capacity in some circumstances do not require Council approval for their installation.

“However even where Council approval is not required full isolation four sided barriers with swimming pool fencing, gates and resuscitation signage in accordance with Australian Standard 1926 must be installed on all swimming pools that are more than 30cm in depth.

“With more than 300,000 backyard swimming pools in NSW, swimming pool safety is a vital issue that affects the whole community,” Mr O’Donnell said.

“It is important to remember that while fencing may assist in reducing drownings in backyard pools, the most effective way to prevent drownings is for children to be adequately supervised by a parent or another responsible adult.

“Research conducted on child drownings in backyard swimming pools indicates that the most common contributing factors are unfenced pools and human error (such as people leaving the gate open, or fences not being maintained in good condition).

“People choosing to have a pool have a responsibility to ensure that the pool barrier and gate(s) are installed, operated and maintained to the Australian Standard referred to in the Swimming Pools Regulation 2008. In an attempt to reduce the number of childhood drownings, recent amendments to the Swimming Pools Act 1992 has dramatically increased the fines for pool owners that disobey the law.

“The Royal Life Saving Society Australia’s Home Pool Safety webpage at www.homepoolsafety.com.au, includes a checklist, fact sheets and other resources relevant to assist owners of private swimming pools and spas to keep their pool or spa safe over the swimming season and beyond.

“It is also important that parents and others responsible for supervising children know how to administer CPR.”

Mr O’Donnell said anyone thinking of buying a paddle pool can check to see if it needs Council approval by speaking to an officer in Council’s health and building section, phone 6499 2222.