Canberrans are being called on to act as backyard lifeguards this year’s summer season and ensure their pools meet the best practice safety standards.
Leading the call, Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction Rebecca Vassarotti encouraged everyone with a pool and/or spa to self-assess it and its surrounding area to ensure all was safe and met the safety standards.
“During the warmer months, backyard pools and spas are welcome places to escape the Canberra heat, but sadly, home swimming pools are also the most common location for drowning for children under the age of five in the ACT,” Ms Vassarotti said.
“While national pool barrier standards for new home swimming pools have strengthened over time, we know that some pools in the ACT, particularly pools installed prior to 2010, do not meet current pool safety standards, which can result in serious injuries or backyard tragedies,” she said.
“The ACT Government is currently developing the details of a new requirement for pool owners to ensure that their pool barrier meets current safety standards.”
Ms Vassarotti said community consultation would occur early next year to seek feedback on issues such as appropriate transition timeframes and circumstances where exemptions might be appropriate.
She said that in the meantime, Canberrans could self-assess their pools with the pool barrier safety factsheet on the Environmental, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate’s (EPSDD) Backyard Lifeguard website.
“I also urge all Canberrans to be vigilant with their children, family, and friends around swimming pools,” the Minister said.
“Always watch your kids and teach them to swim and be safe around water,” she said.
“Check that your pool fences, gates, and other barriers are secure and keep gates to pools and spas shut.”
Ms Vassarotti reminded that inflatable pools also posed a risk and children should be monitored when using them.
She said pool toys such as floatation aids were for fun, but they didn’t replace the need for adult supervision.
“You can learn more about having a swim safe summer by visiting the Backyard Lifeguard website,” she said.
EPSDD’s three-page pool barrier safety fact sheet can be accessed at this PS News link and its Backyard Lifeguard website at this link.
