HOME POOL SAFETY CHECKLIST

Swimming Pool Gate

The gate of the pool fence is crucial in preventing a child's access to the pool. Many people leave their pool gates propped open, or have gates that close but do not lock. A child does not need a great deal of strength to push open an unlocked gate. The gate to the pool must be both self closing and self latching.
The Swimming Pool Gate:

• Must open outward from pool
• Latch must be more than 1.5m from the ground
• Must be self closing and self latching from all positions

Swimming Pool Fence

Fencing is an essential layer of defence in toddler drowning prevention. With toddlers' curious nature and fast feet, in no time at all they can be in the water. The fence acts as a barrier to the pool and as such, helps prevent access to the water by young children. In addition, pool fencing is a legal requirement in all States and Territories in Australia, and heavy penalties can be imposed for non-compliant pools.
The Swimming Pool Fence should be:

• Secure and in good working order
• No more than 100mm from the ground
• Should be at least 1.2m high
• No vertical gaps more than 100mm apart

Around the swimming pool fence

Unsupervised children can access the pool area by using nearby garden and furniture items to provide them with a foothold to climb over the fence.
It is important that for those items Around the Swimming Pool Fence that: 

• Pool aids and toys should be stored securely and out of view 
• Objects that could be used to climb the fence should be removed from the area

Supervision

Children should be supervised whenever they are in, on or around water, and this supervision should be by an adult and the child should be within arms reach at all times. Supervision is constant visual contact with your child. It is not an occasional glance while you nap, read or undertake household chores, and it is not looking out at your kids playing outside while you are inside.
The lack of direct adult supervision is the main factor in 70% of toddler drowning deaths. Indirect supervision has resulted in the loss of many young lives, proving that when a parent/carers attention is focused on something else, tragedies can occur.
Supervision should be constant visual contact with the child at all times by an adult. Children are not equipped with the skills to respond in an emergency situation, nor should they be given this responsibility.

For Supervision:

• Adult supervision in combination with pool fencing is the most effective method of preventing your child from drowning

Pump, grates and suction

 There is more than just water which makes up the pool and then additional devices while essential for good pool operation pose a hazard if not in good working order. It is important to ensure that all of the pools suction fitting and plumbing grates/covers are securely in place and in good working order. 

• Secure loose fittings and replace broken or missing fittings

Be prepared in case of an emergency is important and having a cut off switch can save a life, make sure that all people using the pool / spa know where this switch is located.

• Show people where to switch off the pump prior to using the pool

Emergency Preparation

Resuscitation (CPR) is one of the four key messages in Royal Life Saving's toddler drowning prevention program, KEEP WATCH. Resuscitation (CPR) is a skill every Australian should have - the life you save with this knowledge may be a loved one, and should an emergency situation arise, the precious minutes wasted before response can be a matter of life and death.
For Emergency Preparation it is important to have:

• Up to date CPR and First Aid Skills
• Resuscitation sign prominent in pool area

Royal Life Saving delivers Resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid and Emergency Care Training Courses across Australia. To find out further information regarding these courses click the here for Training Courses.

Royal Life Saving has an extensive range of Water Safety, Resuscitation (CPR) Signage and First Aid Resources available to purchase on-line. Resources include the:
Royal Life Saving Keep Watch Pool Posters/Signage - These posters contains vital information on performing resuscitation on children and infants and also contains adult resuscitation information. The poster is made from durable polypropylene and UV resistant ink to stand up to the Australian summer.
First Aid KitRoyal Life Saving First Aid Kits
To purchase any of the Royal Life Saving resources, simply click the following here to go to the on-line shop.

Chemicals

Swimming pool chemicals control bacteria and algae and provide a safe and clean pool. In concentrated form these chemicals are potentially dangerous. Swimming pool chemicals are reactive. If accidentally mixed with other chemicals, the mixture can become unstable and produce poisonous fumes or even fire. Pool chemicals do not pose a threat if used and stored correctly. (NSW Fire Brigades).
It is important that Swimming Pool Chemicals:

• Should be stored securely, out of view and out of children's reach

Electricity

Water and electricity do not mix. Extreme care should be taken with electrical equipment and appliances near water. Bare feet and wet skin lower the body's electrical resistance, meaning that the effects of an electrical shock on a person in or near water are likely to be more severe than in other places. Even a small voltage can cause drowning due to loss of muscular control. There are special electrical requirements for swimming pools, and it is important that pool wiring and electrical equipment is installed and maintained by a licensed electrician. Only use electrical equipment via a safety switch. (Department of Employment and Industrial Relations, The State of Queensland).

• Electricity and water do not mix
• A residual current device (RCD) or residual current circuit breaker (RCCB) can save lives