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News>Does your backyard swimming pool or spa have a safety fence?
| Media release: 7 October 2009 | |
Summer is the time of the year for many families to enjoy those long hot days wading in a backyard swimming pool or spa …but tragedy may not be far away if you do not have a complying safety fence around your pool or spa.
The warning comes as all swimming pools and spas regardless of when installed are required by law to have safety barriers or fences that restrict entry by young children.
Cardinia Mayor Cr. Bill Pearson said he urged all owners to regularly check the quality of their pool or spa safety barrier to ensure they remain effective.
Be constantly mindful not to have objects surrounding the pool or spa which children can climb on to gain access to the pool.
“Children on farms should be provided with a safe play area, fenced, away from water including sump holes, irrigation channels, dams and troughs,” said Cr Pearson.
According to the 2009 Royal Life Saving Report, drowning claimed 302 Australian lives.
In the 12 months to June 30, 2009, 41 more people drowned than the previous year, raising the total number of drowning deaths by 16 per cent on last year’s figures.
Almost all age groups recorded an increase in the number of deaths against the five year average.
Council’s Municipal Building Surveyor Graeme Geary said random site inspections are being carried out to check properties that have a swimming pool or spa comply with the regulations.
“Council is responsible for enforcing pool regulations, and do so with random checks or by following up reports,” he said.
“The building regulations require all owners of properties with a pool or spa to restrict access by young children to their pool or spa by installing barriers in accordance with the Australian Standard AS1926, and the gate must be fitted with a self-locking or self-latching device at least 1500mm above ground level.”
Mr Geary said the requirements apply to all pools and spas that are capable of holding 300mm or more of water and regardless of when the pool or spa was installed.
“The building regulations provide for $200 “on-the-spot” Building Infringement Notice to be served for non compliance. Also the court fine for non compliance with pool or spa safety requirements has increased five-fold from $1,000 to a hefty $5,000.”
Swimming pool and spa owners can contact Council’s Municipal Building Surveyor for information to help them decide whether their pool or spa meets the necessary requirements by phoning 1300 787 624.
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