Swimming pool owners are being urged to check their backyard pool and spa fences ahead of new regulations to be introduced next year.
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A mandatory register will come in to force at the beginning of summer 2019, including regular inspections of pool and spa barriers, to reduce drownings.
There are about 1200 backyard pools in Ballarat.
Under the new laws, pool and spa owners will be required to ensure their safety barriers remain in working order at all times – just as at the day they were installed. Households will need to register their pool or spa with their local council, and declare their pool barriers are compliant with regular inspections as often as every three years.
The Victorian Building Authority has prepared a voluntary register and self-assessment tool for owners to check their fences before the new regulations.
Owners can seek compliance certificates from registered inspectors, giving them time to fix any fencing issues before the rules change.
"Pool and spa barriers are exposed to the extremes of weather all year round which can lead to rust, loose or missing bolts or screws and wear and tear over time,” said Swimming Pool and Spa Association chief executive Chris Samartzis.
“It's critical that pool and spa owners regularly check and maintain their barriers to ensure they are safe and fully compliant."
Between January 2000 and April 2017, 25 children drowned in Victorian swimming pools and spas. Around 13 children every year are hospitalised due to a near-drowning, and a third of these sustain ongoing impairment.
Kidsafe chief executive Jason Chambers said while pool and spa barriers play an important role in reducing the risk of childhood drowning, home pool defence should also include a number of other actions.
"Children drown quickly and silently. Together with a compliant pool barrier that is regularly checked and maintained, your home pool defence should also include active adult supervision of children in and around water, water awareness and first aid knowledge to keep your family safe this season," he said.
According to Kidsafe, common non-compliance issues with pool barriers include:
- Gates and doors that don't self-latch or self-close
- Climbable objects near the barrier eg pot plants, chairs, pool pumps near the pool barrier which could allow a child to climb over the fence
- Excess space under the barrier, and;
- Misuse (eg propping the pool gate open)
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