14 December 2004

NSW Health campaigns to fence out drowning

NSW Health has called on parents and pool owners to make sure backyard swimming pool fences meet appropriate standards so that cooling off in the summer swelter doesn’t end in a drowning tragedy.

For children aged under five years of age, pool drowning is the leading cause of injury ahead of motor vehicle crashes, violence, falls, poisonings and burns.

NSW Health data reveals:

• In 2002 there were 101 deaths caused by drowning in NSW.
• This number has increased on average over the last five years.
• One in five incidents of drowning involves a child under five years of age.
• In 2003/2004, nine NSW children under five drowned in backyard pools.
• Defective or inadequate pool fencing was a major cause of drowning in 86 per cent of cases.

Rebecca Mitchell, Manager of Injury Prevention for NSW Health, said in 30 per cent of pool drowning incidents, there was an absence of a pool fence or a fence in poor condition. In 49 per cent of cases the pool fence failed as a barrier because a gate was left open or a child was able to climb the fence while unsupervised.

“All private backyard pools should be fenced independently from the house and the gate should be fitted with a self-closing, self-latching device,” said Ms Mitchell.

The NSW Swimming Pools Act 1992 and Regulation 1998 are the relevant laws in NSW with local councils responsible for enforcement. In NSW only 28 per cent of local councils reported inspecting backyard pools for compliance with the law. Estimates put the figure for backyard pools in NSW at 777,000.

The NSW Swimming Pools Act requires different forms of fencing for backyard pools, depending on when a pool was built, the location and size of the property. Domestic pools built since 1 August 1990 in NSW must have isolation fencing that encloses the pool on four sides and is required to have a self-closing, self-latching gate.

Pools built before 1 August 1990 may have perimeter fencing that encloses the property and pool but permits access from the house to the pool. Doors and windows between the house and pool must be lockable.

“Isolation fencing is significantly safer than perimeter fencing according to research studies,” said Ms Mitchell.

Numerous Australian studies show that compliance with pool fencing laws in NSW is poor. At most, only 50 per cent of pools comply with pool fencing laws.

NSW Health recommends the following pool safety tips:

• check that the catch on the gate locks automatically whenever the gate closes;
• never prop the gate open;
• make sure there are no objects near the fence that young children could use as a climbing aid;
• if you have three-sided pool fencing that allows access to the pool through your house, upgrade to four-sided fencing – it’s safer. In the meantime, make sure all doors and windows leading to the pool are secure. This is vital if you have young children or any young children visit your home; and
• if you don’t have a pool fence build one immediately.

"The backyard pool is a virtual summer institution for Sydneysiders but they are places that need to be monitored carefully – particularly when children are around," Ms Mitchell said.

“Remember pool fences aren’t a substitute for constant supervision. Always supervise toddlers and youngsters when they’re in or around a pool. And don’t leave that responsibility to an older child,” she said.

For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au