IT WOULD seem that faulty pool gates and ignorance are still contributing to a huge number of infant deaths in this state, with more than half of 0- to five-year-old backyard drowning deaths happening because of either a faulty gate or a gate propped open.
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The latest figures from the Royal Life Saving Society also show that 95 per cent of all pools fail their council safety inspection first time around.
How can this be, that in this day and age this is still happening?
That children are dying in such tragic circumstances?
It was the drowning death in 2012 of Armidale toddler Sebastien Yeomans that sparked a comprehensive review of pool fencing legislation in NSW.
The pool owner was charged with manslaughter, but the DPP discontinued proceedings after concluding there was no reasonable prospect of conviction.
Now from Friday, new laws will require a valid certificate of compliance or non-compliance be attached to the sale or rental contract of any property with a swimming pool or spa – if the pool is non-compliant, the new owner has 90 days to bring it up to scratch.
A working pool fence is the final barrier that can ultimately save a young life and prevent tragedy from striking, but parents also need to remember that nothing beats a watchful eye.
In the past 13 years, 83 children under five years of age have drowned in backyard pools in NSW, and a further 80 children have suffered brain damage as a result of being immersed in a pool.
Do keep an eye on your children around water, don’t prop open gates while working in the garden or pool area – and even if your gate passes that initial inspection, do make sure it continues to be maintained in good working order.
Don’t just assume it is the case, because any life lost in this way is one life too many.
