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Keep Watch Home Pool Safety Campaign 2008
Thousands of Australian home swimming pools are potential death traps because of poorly maintained fencing, warns Royal Life Saving Society - Australia - and most people are unaware of the danger.
More than half of all the children under five years old who drowned in Australia last year died in backyard pools, often because the fence gate either wasn't properly secured or toddlers were able to find a way through gaps that emerge as a result of wear-and-tear that home owners either hadn't noticed or had put off repairing.
Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley is also asking councils around the nation to be more vigilant, pointing out that in some areas up to 85% of home pools are simply not compliant with current safety standards.
Thousands of Australian home swimming pools are potential death traps because of poorly maintained fencing, warns Royal Life Saving Society - Australia - and most people are unaware of the danger.
More than half of all the children under five years old who drowned in Australia last year died in backyard pools, often because the fence gate either wasn't properly secured or toddlers were able to find a way through gaps that emerge as a result of wear-and-tear that home owners either hadn't noticed or had put off repairing.
Royal Life Saving has launched a new campaign urging people across Australia to make this weekend their Home Pool Safety Weekend by using a free checklist to make sure the fence around their backyard pool is safe. The checklist is available at www.homepoolsafety.com.au.
Royal Life Saving CEO Rob Bradley is also asking councils around the nation to be more vigilant, pointing out that in some areas up to 85% of home pools are simply not compliant with current safety standards.
Rob Bradley said it's horrifying to realise that in 2008 thousands of pools across the nation are simply not fenced off properly either because people are not paying attention or because they are intending 'to get around to it one day'.
Rob Bradley said in some areas of Australia up to 85% of the pool fences are non-compliant with safety standards. Royal Life Saving highlights that all pools have to be fenced in Australia - it's a legal requirement in every state and territory and heavy penalties can be imposed for non-compliant pools.
Royal Life Saving says a child under five has drowned on average every 10 days over the past 10 years and highlights that drowning is Australia's hidden epidemic.
Rob Bradley said "Supervision is the key to preventing toddler drowning deaths. A fence with a self-closing gate goes hand-in-hand with supervision as the best way to prevent childhood drowning. Pool fencing should be checked at least once a year to ensure it isn't climbable and is in good repair. Make sure there are no loose palings and no gaps under or through the fence. It's just like maintaining your car or replacing the pool filter."
"Many homeowners aren't aware that significant weather events, like the summer storms that are common across Australia, may weaken the pool fence. So after storms you should do a thorough check to make sure nothing has come loose."
A special pool safety checklist has been set up by Royal Life Saving for anyone in Australia to download. The checklist urges people to check swimming pool gates, swimming pool fences as well as looking at issues like chemicals around pools, supervision issues, emergency preparation and other matters.
As part of the Keep Watch 2008 initiative, Royal Life Saving is also urging councils across Australia to be vigilant and ensure that local people are complying with pool safety standards.
Rob Bradley added "Without doubt some councils are doing a great job at checking home pools. Others are not doing such a good job. We're asking people regardless of how good their council is to take action themselves to check the safety of pool fence."
"Every local council should conduct safety inspections on all home pools under their auspices. The cost would be borne by the pool owner as is the case in many areas around Australia. The three yearly inspection is not expensive - much less than the cost of one bag of chlorine."
The Keep Watch program is supported by PoolWerx - the healthy pool people - who are backing the message that when it comes to home pool safety you should check it, fix it and watch it.
Rob Bradley added "No child or family should ever have to experience the trauma of drowning or near-drowning. We want zero drownings in Australia. We can all do more. Everyone can be a lifesaver. We need to remember it's not just drowning deaths, it is also near-drowning. For every drowning death there are around four hospitalisations and of those one or two will have permanent brain damage."
The Samuel Morris Foundation is actively backing the Keep Watch 2008 campaign. Samuel Morris was tragically affected by drowning when he had a near-drowning incident in 2006. As a result he was left with a severe brain injury and severe disabilities. Samuel cannot speak or walk.
Samuel's father Michael Morris said "My son was a bright, happy, cuddly little two- year-old until he had a near-drowning experience. We want people to be aware that the messages of the Keep Watch program are critical. For every child who dies as a result of drowning it's estimated another three to four children are admitted to hospital as a result of near-drownings. One-fifth of those admitted to hospital will experience severe or ongoing health consequences such as profound brain damage or attention and memory issues. If a child stops breathing for three to four minutes, brain damage can start to happen - and often this is irreversible. We all have to do more to prevent drownings."
"In our case my son was two when he got into the pool. He shook a faulty panel which came away and gave him access. It's a clear warning to anyone about how vital it is to check your fencing. We assumed when we moved in that the fence complied with Australian standards. We found out after Samuel's accident it wasn't the case and found out the council had never inspected the pool fence."
Royal Life Saving highlighted that a 2004 Choice Magazine survey showed 18 different types of pool fencing material out of 31 surveyed did not meet Australian standards. A major NSW safety taskforce report found that out of 1,000 pools, close to half had defective fences.
Keep Watch's key messages are to supervise your child, provide barriers to water locations, familiarise your child with water and learn resuscitation.
Rob Bradley said "The PoolWerx sponsorship of Keep Watch is a very important one because the 280 PoolWerx franchisees will help to get the Keep Watch message and literature directly into the hands of the home pool owner while they are on-site providing their top quality pool maintenance and enhancement."
PoolWerx Corporation CEO, John O'Brien added "In targeting Australian backyard pools as safe, healthy swimming environments, it means we can contribute not only dollars, but also experience and expertise from our National network. If we can help save the life of just one little one - well, how do you put a price on that?"
Rob Bradley said "Pools are fantastic fun and the reality is we all love the aquatic environment. Pools are there to be enjoyed and to be part of our great Australian way of life. As part of our home pool safety campaign, we're asking people to check that their swimming pool gate opens outward from the pool and that it is self-closing and self-latching. All latches must be more than 1.5 metres from the ground. When it comes to fencing, fencing should be at least 1.2 metres high and has to be secure and in good working order. People often put off fence maintenance thinking 'I'll get around to it'. Don't wait until it is too late. Fix it now."
"Around the swimming pool fence make sure pool aids and toys are stored securely and out of view. Otherwise children may be tempted to try and get access to the pool. They can use anything from a tree, to a chair, or a ladder to try to get into a pool if there are temptations there."
"On rural properties if it is not feasible to fence off a dam or lake, you should create a child safe area close to the home and away from the body of water - this should be enclosed and supervised at all times."
"We urge everyone to simply go to www.homepoolsafety.com.au and download our easy to follow checklist. It will make a world of difference."
Rob Bradley said "We're concerned that some people are becoming complacent. You can never be complacent with this kind of issue. At the end of the day it's the parent's responsibility to ensure there's a safe aquatic environment - not the child's."
Anyone wanting more information should either go to keepwatch.com.au or homepoolsafety.com.au.
Media enquiries to Danyel Walker and Ross Woodward of Media Key on 03 9769 6488. You can also call Belinda Lawton from Royal Life Saving Society - Australia on 02 8217 3133 or 0409 305 000.
