In the ACT, the backyard swimming pool remains the most common location for drownings for those under 5 years of age. It is estimated conservatively that for every child that fatally drowns in an Australian pool, between four and seven are resuscitated, suffering life-long disability from brain, lung and other organ damage.
It is not only children that live at houses with swimming pools that drown or suffer serious injury from a near-drowning incident, children and relatives that may be visiting or children from neighbouring properties are also at risk.
Pool safety barriers are a vital safety measure designed to help restrict access of children to a pool or spa, and are considered the best means of preventing fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents when combined with supervision. The changes respond to the risks to individuals (particularly children) of death and serious injuries from fatal and non-fatal drowning incidents in home swimming pools. The changes are also in line with what has been introduced in other jurisdictions in Australia to address these same issues.
