New video shows how to protect kids
The Samuel Morris Foundation has joined forces with The Swimming Pool and Spa Association of NSW (SPASA NSW) and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead to develop a Protect Your Pool, Protect Your Kids video to educate pool owners about pool fencing and the common faults and urge them to protect their children.
In NSW from 1 July 2007- 30 June 2009, on average, 11 children under five years of age drowned. Children under five years of age are at greatest risk of drowning, compared to all other age groups, with approximately 70% of drowning deaths occurring in swimming pools.1,2 In addition, in NSW a further 62 children were admitted to hospital in 2009 for near drowning. Of all near drowning incidents, 22.3% will experience some form of permanent brain damage, leading to the need for long term care, resulting in persistent and ongoing disability.
This of course does not include the emotional impact that a drowning death or disability has on families and the community. Pool fencing is designed to save children’s lives by preventing their access to pools. Alarmingly the majority of children under five years of age who drown in swimming pools do so because the fencing is not compliant with the legislation.
In addition, research conducted by The Swimming Pool and Spa Association of NSW (SPASA NSW) revealed a large amount of pool owners never check their pool fences (43%) with 19% admitting to only sometimes having their pool fences clear of climbable objects.
Erin Simmonds, Health Promotion Officer at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead has led the Protect your Pool, Protect your Kids Video campaign and says that the “The main risks are gates that don’t self close, gates that don’t self latch and objects being available for children to climb over the fence.”
Research shows that most children drown in their own home swimming pool often within 6 months of moving into a new property with a swimming pool. Children are also at risk when in unfamiliar surroundings such as when visiting another household with a pool, that of friends, family or neighbours. The maintenance of pool fencing is extremely important, even if you do not have young children living at your household.
“Children have drowned because pool owners are not aware that their pool does not comply, choose not to comply or are unaware of the consequences for non compliance.” Erin says.
Michael and Jo-ann Morris know how important it is to check and maintain your pool fence having learnt first hand the consequences of a near drowning.
“In our case, we assumed when we moved in that the fence complied with the Australian Standards. After Samuel’s accident we found out that a pool safety check was not completed at the time of the pool being built or at any time since. We really urge all pool owners to check their fences and gates regularly as they can help protect their children, their friend’s children or their grandchildren.”
“Pool fencing is a legal requirement and pool owners should be aware of the penalties of up to $5,500 if a swimming pool does not comply. Pool owners should regularly check their swimming pool throughout the year, especially in the months leading up to summer," said Spiros Dassakis, CEO of the Swimming Pool and Spa Association of NSW.
