Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea, has echoed a plea by the Minister for Local Government, Don Page, to ensure backyard pools are safe for the summer season.
Mr O’Dea said the NSW Government is committed to reducing the incidence of young children drowning or near-drowning in backyard pools. For pool owners, the pool registration process helps to make sure that back yard pools in the Davidson electorate meet the required safety standards.
“It is a sad fact that backyard swimming pools are the most common location for drowning deaths of children under five in NSW,” Mr O’Dea said.
“67 families have mourned for a child under the age of five in NSW in the last 10 years as a result of a swimming pool drowning.
Another 36 children per year in NSW suffer permanent brain injuries from near drowning. These injuries often result in the children requiring intense care from their parents or others for the rest of their lives. All of these deaths and injuries are preventable.
“During the summer season, there is no substitute for adequate supervision, but a fully compliant barrier and self-closing gate can save lives – the lives of your children, your friend’s children or visitors’ children.
“Should your pool barrier need repair – do not delay. You simply cannot put a price on saving someone’s life. Please understand your responsibilities as a pool owner, and ensure that you have registered and assessed your pool,” Mr O’Dea said.
From April 2014 there will also be a requirement to have a pool certified as in good safe order before the relevant property is sold or leased. These pool certifications are valid for three years.
More information is available at: www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
