Far too many children drown each year. The most common way children from 0-4 drown is by falling into swimming pools. And 5-15 year olds commonly drown while swimming in pools.
Things are improving. The actions of pool owners, backed by tougher pool safety laws have seen far less children drowning in pools (compared to the 10-year average). Specifically, there has been more than a 30% reduction in:
- Children (0-15) drowning anywhere
- People drowning in pools
But sadly, we could have prevented most children who have still drowned from dying unnecessarily.
This guide will show you how.
The 2 Most Common Reasons Children Die in Pools
Research shows that the two most common reasons children die in pools are:
- An inadequate barrier preventing younger children from entering the pool area (or no barrier at all)
- Lack of active, adult supervision of children in the pool area.
You can use these two reasons to devise a 2-step plan:
- Keep children out of the pool area who shouldn’t be in there.
- Actively supervise children who you allow in the pool area.
Your checklist is organised into two sections in line with these steps.
Each section has more specific subheadings, with key actions under each one.
Keeping Children Out
How do you keep children out of the pool area who you don’t want in there, especially young children? You do it with:
- A pool fence younger children can’t get under, over or through.
- A self-closing pool gate that works as it should
- Banning bad behaviour (pool safety behaviour)
Pool Fence
Check:
- Your fence is at least 120cm from the ground
- Check the gap between the bottom of the fence and the ground is no more than 10cm.
- Vertical gaps between parts of the fence are no wider than 10cm.
- You have a 90cm, non-climbable zone on the fences outside and inside.
- Your fence is made of durable materials.
- Glass fences are made with reinforced, safety glass with no visible cracks
- You display a compliant and easily visible sign with CPR techniques within the pool area
Pool Gate
- Your gates swing outward, away from the pool.
- Your gates close and latch automatically (first-go).
- The latch should be at least 150cm above the ground.
- Your gate doesn’t accidentally open if you shake it
Eliminate Bad Behaviour
Do not:
- Prop the pool gate open
- Leave pool toys and aids out after use
- Be out of arm’s reach of any 0-5 year old you are supervising
- Let yourself be distracted when supervising (chatting, reading, scrolling)
- Let older children supervise younger children
Emergency Preparation
- Keep your CPR & First-Aid training up to date.
- Display your CPR sign where you can see it easily (from around the pool)
Other
- People cannot access the pool area directly from the building.
- Any windows that open into the pool area are no more than 10cm wide or have a security screen.
- Chemicals are stored securely and out of children’s reach.