Mr Bean at the Swimming Pool
- Ella Freshney standing outside her legal pool fence in Gympie. New restrictions will see owners of pools – even inflatable types over 300mm deep – expected to fence their pools.
GYMPIE region pool owners have 12 months to comply with strict new safety restrictions or face penalties of up to $16,500.
All new home owners will have to immediately ensure there is a strict non-climbable zone next to or above the family pool, while owners of existing pools have until 2011 to ensure they are compliant with the new laws.
Figures released by Queensland Health show that in the last six months, 56 children were treated in Queensland emergency departments for near- drownings.
Two of those children were treated at Gympie Hospital.
The new laws took effect last month and figures recently revealed that children under the age of five are four times more likely to drown in a home swimming pool than in any other body of water.
Bernie Greaney of Gympie Pool World said the restrictions are now among the most stringent in the country; however they did not take the place of constant supervision of youngsters near any body of water.
“They are tough,” Mr Greaney said, “But they’re only looking after the safety of children.”
The laws come as eight children under the age of four died in Queensland pool drownings last year.
Five children drowned the year before.
Mr Greaney said it was important that people understood their responsibilities to avoid inadvertently breaking the law.
For example, he said many people put their pool gates in the wrong way.
“Gates should only open outwards,” he said.
“That way, if children lean against them, they don’t accidentally spring open.”
If required, Mr Greaney is able to help customers by visiting their pools and advising them as to what they need to do to comply.
Under the first stage of the new safety restrictions, all new home owners will have to immediately ensure there is a strict non-climbable zone next to or above the family pool, while owners of existing pools have until 2011 to ensure they are compliant with the new laws.
“Most people have fences,” Mr Greaney said. “But a lot aren’t legal. Even inflatable pools have to be fenced now – anything over 300mm deep with a pump on it has to be fenced.”
Pool owners must pay close attention to fence maintenance and damaged fencing must be fixed immediately.
It’s also now compulsory for pool owners to display a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) sign, he said.
Penalties of up to $16,500 and on-the-spot fines of up to $700 can be imposed on pool owners if their pool fence does not comply with the law.
By Jannette Parke
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