The Essential Home Pool Safety Checklist

Keeping Your Family and Guests Safe with these Pool Safety Checklists

Everyone wants to keep their family safe, but it can be hard to know what to look out for since there are small things that are easily missed. Before you dive in for your next swim, make sure to check the swimming pool for any safety hazards.

In 2021, Royal Life Saving Australia recorded 25 young children aged 0-4 years drowned in Australia in 2020/21. This is a 108% increase compared to the period 2019/20 and a 9% increase on the 10-year average. To reduce the risk of drowning deaths, safety measures and active adult supervision to ensure that these accidents do not occur. We've outlined some key measures you should always check before opening up the pool this summer.

As a pool owner, it is your responsibility to make sure your pool is up to compliance standards by maintaining, and repairing any faults and ensuring it is safe and operational at all times.

1. Supervision

It is important to keep an eye on children when in or near the water. No matter how old they are, it is crucial to make sure they are always in your line of sight when in the pool. If you cannot watch them, then someone else needs to be there that can.

Ensure there is always an adult actively supervising any children in the pool and spa. For young children under 5 years, an adult must always be within arms length to ensure the safety of the child. Never leave children unattended or have older children supervising young children.

2. Pool Safety Barrier

Ensure the pool has a sturdy and operational safety barrier that is fully compliant with Australian Standards at all times. In Victoria, it is mandatory by law to have your pool barrier inspected by a qualified pool inspector to ensure it is safe and compliant. Your pool fence or barrier is only deemed compliant once you receive a Certificate of Barrier Compliance. You can learn more about the process of getting a pool safety certificate.

The pool safety barrier should prevent any young children from accessing the pool area other than the pool gate. This includes using any objects to climb over the fence or gaps from which they can crawl under.

To ensure that the pool barrier restricts any unsupervised access, it must have the following requirements:

• All pool barriers must be at least 1200 mm (1.2m) high.
• No gaps more than 100 mm from the ground.
• No vertical gaps more than 100 mm apart.
• Remove any climbable objects around the pool safety barrier.
• Regularly check for cracks or corrosion on the surface of your pool and have these repaired immediately.

Make sure to remove any potential hazards that children may use as a climbable object such as chairs, ladders, trees, pot plants, and BBQs. Ensure toys and equipment are stored away from the pool area when the pool is not in use.

Specific requirements around non-climbable zones and clear spaces, as well as lengths and heights of barrier requirements are highlighted in the checklists below based on when your pool or spa finished being installed.

1. VBA Checklist 1: For pools or spas installed before 8th April 1991
2. VBA Checklist 2: For pools or spas installed between 8th April 1991 and 30th April 1991
3. VBA Checklist 3: For pools or spas installed from 1st May 1991

3. Pool Gates

The majority of toddler drownings happen when kids gain unsupervised access to swimming pools. If you have a pool area, ensure the gate is always kept closed and locked at all times. This includes after adults or older children have exited or entered the pool. The gate must be able to prevent small children getting into the pool without help.

For safety, ensure that the pool gate is self-closing and self-latching, which means when you open it, it automatically closes. If your pool fence already has a manual lock with a release knob, upgrade to one with an auto close hinge (also known as automatic closing latches) on gates facing the water to prevent drowning incidents.

• The pool gate must swing outward away from the pool.
• Does the gate swing back into the closed position after being opened?
• Does the gate latch and stay closed after it returns to the closed position?
• Never prop the pool gate open with another object.

Check more on the pool gate safety checklist here.

4. Emergency Preparation

It is essential to have a comprehensive first aid kit with you next to the pool at all times. Ensure that a supervising adult knows how to perform first aid or CPR.

Consider installing a first aid or CPR step-by-step guide or sign installed around the pool area. It is highly recommended that you have any emergency preparations ready in the event of an accident.

5. Chemicals

• Always ensure that chemicals for treating the pool are stored away safely and out of children's view and reach.
• When using pool chemicals always use protective equipment such as gloves and goggles when handling.
• Read the safety directions and directions for use as indicated on the label.
• Remember to add the pool chemicals to the water NOT the water to the chemicals.

6. Regular Pool Maintenance

Regularly check your filtration system for any problems including cleaning out any leaves or breakages. Regularly check the skimmers to make sure they are always working and remove any blockages that may form.

Make sure all devices such as pumps, filters and other pool water equipment is regularly maintained.

Regularly inspect your drainage pipes and accessories for damage to ensure there is no leakage present at any time.

Conclusion

Ensure that all of the children and adults around the pool understand basic water safety and to always remember to stay safe in and around pools. It's easy to forget about safety measures when we're all keen to dive into a cool swimming pool. With this in mind, make sure to provide a safe and fun environment around your swimming pool for years to come.

If you have any enquiries about getting your pool barrier up to compliance standards or need to book a pool inspection before deadlines are up, get in touch with us today.