Royal Life Saving backs national pool fencing legislation

Royal Life Saving (RLS) says a key ministerial decision will have potentially the biggest impact on reducing child drowning since pool fencing was introduced more than 20 years ago.

RLS CEO Rob Bradley says a decision by the Sport and Recreation Minister’s Council (SRMC) to develop the principles for nationally consistent home pool fencing legislation is an important first step as figures show the number of deaths by drowning has increased by more than 15 per cent in the past two years with more than 150 children aged 0 to 4 drowning during the last five years – half the deaths were in backyard pools.

RLS research indicates as many as 85 per cent of home pools are either not fenced at all or are non-compliant with safety requirements.

Bradley says without doubt inadequate and inconsistent home pool fencing legislation and compliance has already cost hundreds of young lives in the past 10 years.

He says at the current time there is massive confusion amongst pool owners, local councils, real estate agents, manufacturers and equipment suppliers and installers about which parts of current legislation apply to their local area.

“Establishing one nationally consistent approach will make life much better for everybody involved,” he says. “It will ensure pool owners can provide a safer and more secure environment for young children.  This will then provide the clear best practice for manufacturers, builders and installers of pools, pool fences, latches and gates.”

Bradley says he applauds the unanimous commitment of states and territories to develop a common set of legislation and compliance measures.

There is more on this story in the April issue of SPLASH!