Most pools fail checks

With the warmer weather on its way, many will take to the water to beat the heat and while playing in water can be fun, Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour is encouraging residents to improve the safety around their backyard pools and take part in the council’s free CPR courses.
He says too many children lose their lives every year in Australia, due to poor pool safety, not to mention the number of close calls.
He warned there were three important things parents and carers must be aware of around water: Always stay alert; never leave children unattended; and always supervise children around water.
“It’s particularly important around backyard swimming pools, where residents must make sure their pools are secure,” he said.
“Unfortunately, of the more than 1,000 local backyard pools our officers inspect each year, 95 percent are non-compliant.
“While 99 per cent of owners do then address the issues, they are leaving themselves open to a tragedy in the first instance, which could impact on them for the rest of their lives.
“Pool safety is the responsibility of all home owners who have pools, so I urge them to check their pool fence and gate.”
The main reasons for non-compliance include: Maintenance issues, such as plants/trees growing into the ‘No Climb Zone’ close to the pool fence; pool gates not self-latching; and the pool is a cheap blow-up without a pool fence.
The council also promotes pool safety as part of its Learn to Swim program as well as the free CPR courses.
For more information or to take part in one of the CPR courses, call 9789 9800.