Jonathan O’Dea, Member for Davidson, has urged all pool owners in his electorate to register their backyard swimming pools.
“The safety of children is paramount. Very young children, whether resident or visiting, are most at risk of drowning in backyard pools,’’ Mr O’Dea said.
“While there is no substitute for proper supervision, it is important that every pool owner takes responsibility to make sure their pool complies with current regulations,’’ he said.
Royal Life Saving NSW CEO David Macallister today congratulated the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government for setting up the new NSW Swimming Pool Register, which goes live today.
Mr Macallister said the campaign, which is a collaboration between Royal Life Saving NSW and the NSW Government, is about getting information to pool owners and identifying them.
As part of the “Be Pool Safe’’ campaign all 152 councils across NSW will be given information packs and back-up support.
People can visit www.bepoolsafe.com.au to download special fact sheets and videos in 15 languages.
“The statistics speak for themselves. In the past 10 years, 67 children aged 0 to four have drowned in New South Wales swimming pools,’’ Mr Macallister said.
It takes just 3 minutes to register a pool – for free – at a new website located at www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
“It is critical all pool owners register their pools so councils and water safety educators can more effectively communicate with pool owners to try and halt drownings,” he said.
“There are approximately 340,000 pools across NSW. Royal Life Saving NSW believes that in a number of areas as many as one in every two pools simply don’t meet safety standards.
Minister for Local Government Don Page said, “The really sad thing is that most, if not all, child drownings are preventable. Swimming pool owners will be required to complete an assessment to ensure their pool complies with the applicable standard.”
Last year New South Wales had the highest number of drowning deaths of any state or territory - 105 people drowned compared to Victoria’s 37. Royal Life Saving estimates for every child drowning death, there are approximately three hospitalisations. Up to two of those will involve a permanent brain injury.
