As your local Pool Safety Inspector, we thought it a good time to share our Pool Safety Checklist for the Qld summer swimming season.
Pool Safety is paramount in reducing drownings.
Over the last 25 years, 965 children under the age of five drowned in Australia. Swimming pools are the leading location for child drowning, primarily due to a lapse in supervision, faulty gates, and propped open gates.
Home pool fencing and effective supervision can help reduce these tragic drowning deaths to zero. Brisbane Pool Certifiers is targeting every home pool owner with a basic reminder to check, fix and maintain their home pool and surrounds this year in order to help eliminate child drowning.
Disclaimer: This checklist does not substitute for a pool inspection and is for educational purposes only. Pool owners should consider getting a professional assessment of their pool’s compliance.
Home Pool Safety Checklist
Swimming Pool Gate
Gate must be minimum 1200mm above ground level and open outward from pool area.
Must be in a good condition with no broken or dangerous elements.
Gap between the bottom of the gate and Solid Stable ground should not exceed 100mm.
Pool Gate # 1
Pool Gate #2
Latch must be minimum 1500mm from the ground and 1400mm above the highest lower horizontal member.
Pool gate must latch shut on the first swing and not bounce on the latching mechanism.
Gate should swing back to the closed position after being opened and not get stuck open on anything such as shrubs or ground..
Check that gate is secure and doesn’t open if a child bounces on the bottom rail of the gate.
Never prop open the pool gate even for a short time..
Where the latch is on the inside of the gate, ensure the gap between the gate and post or panel is no more than 10mm (see diagram for details)
Swimming Pool Fence
Pool Fence NCZ’s – Brisbane Pool Certifiers
Secure and in good working order with no broken or dangerous elements.
Gap between bottom of barrier and Solid Stable Ground should not exceed 100mm
Should be at least 1.2m high when measure from the outside.
Vertical gaps no more than 100mm apart.
Ensure all of the fence panels securely attached.
Is the distance between the bottom rail and the ground less than 100mm?
Check there are no rusted, loose or missing screws?
Around The Swimming Pool Fence
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.
Climbable objects near the pool fence must be removed. i.e. chairs, ladders, trees, pot plants, BBQ’s for a minimum distance of 900mm outside & 300mm inside the barriers & gates.
Toys should always be removed from the pool area and stored securely after use.
Trees or shrubs near the fence should be trimmed so that children can’t use them to climb the fence?
Supervision
Adult supervision in combination with pool fencing is the most effective method of preventing your child from drowning.
When using the pool are you always within arms’ reach of any child under 5 years of age?
Are you aware of the dangers of leaving older children to supervise younger children when they are using the pool?
During parties is an adult designated ‘child supervisor’ duties around the pool?
Emergency Preparation
Is the Resuscitation CPR Sign prominent in pool area?
Do you or your family members have up to date Resuscitation and First Aid skills?
Does your house have a First Aid Kit handy?
Is there a current Resuscitation Sign displayed prominently in the pool area?
Chemicals
Must be stored securely, out of view and out of children’s reach
Use protective equipment (gloves, goggles) when handling pool chemicals.
When using pool chemicals, do you add the chemical to water?
Use clean or original chemical containers when mixing chemicals to avoid vapours from incompatible chemicals.
Read the Safety Directions and Directions For Use label on the pool chemicals before use.
Electricity
Electricity and water do not mix, keep any electrical appliances outside the pool area.
A Residual Current Device (RCD) or Residual Current Circuit Breaker (RCCB) can save lives
Do you have a RCD or RCCB on power supply? No – Have a RCD or RCCB installed
If you have any conductive material such as metal barriers, steel posts etc. within 1250mm of the waters edge, we recommences you engage the services of a licensed electrician to verify if Equipotential Bonding is required.
If you require a Pool Safety Certificate or would like us to do a Pool Safety Inspection to check for compliance with the Qld Pool Safety Regulations you can click here to book online www.brisbanepoolcertifiers.com.au