As summer begins fading from our attention, so too will our swimming pools.
However, very sadly, a Queensland article in Lawyers Weekly drew my attention to an increase in drowning incidents in private homes despite that state having tough laws for pool fences.
What really caught my attention was the fact that children under five years old are the most common victims of household drownings.
I have written previously about the need to make sure your pool fences are ‘compliant’ before you sell  your home but these latest figures have prompted me to use today’s article as a general call-to-action whether or not you have plans to sell your home.
Why you should attend to pool fence compliance
Here in South Australia, we’ve had new regulations about pool fence compliance since January 1, 2014.
These relatively new standards only apply to pools and spas (that use filters, re-use the same water for numerous sessions, are covered and can have heaters) bought or installed after January 1, 2014, or to any such pool or spa when a house is sold.
This means no matter what the age of your pool or spa, if it fits the criteria above, you need to make sure it matches current standards BEFORE settlement – and I’d go so far as to say, please make your pool or spa compliant today, no matter what your plans are for selling.
In the article, Pool fencing: criminalisation could sink compensation claims, Mark O’Connor shares the following insight:
As an injury compensation lawyer I have represented parents of children drowned in backyard pools and know at first hand how a tragedy like this devastates and tears a family apart. We must do anything we can to prevent child pool drownings.
I concur, hence today’s article.
Further reading for pool safety for home owners and real estate agents
As I look back through the articles we’ve shared on this topic, they really do create a high watermark in online reference material for guiding you to pool safety and compliance.
Here are the main articles and their particular points of interest:
Buying or selling a house with a pool? Don’t dive in until you’ve read this – This summarises the standards that apply to pool fence compliance and an overview of what areas need your attention for compliance as a pool owner and vendor
Don’t sink your house sale in swimming pool safety certification – Who can you call? This article explains how Private Certifiers are the way to go, gives a list of them, and points out what to look for in their qualifications
4 ways to sink or swim when selling a house with a swimming pool in South Australia – a great guide for real estate agents, as well as home owners, in the different approaches that might be taken to this issue
One last lap
Even though you might be contemplating covering up the pool for autumn and winter, I hope you will use the next few weeks to achieve compliance with your pool fencing because as the Lawyers Weekly article points out, tragedy can happen in an instant.
William Corben died last March after he was found unconscious in the pool of his neighbours, Rodney and Lisa Stewart. The pool gate had been deliberately propped open with a wooden block. The child had been playing hide-and-seek with four other children when he reportedly entered the pool area unnoticed and drowned.
I think what the very sad story makes clear is how important a complaint fence is and also that the fence be maintained correctly.
Remember, general safety aside, pool compliance rests with vendors so at the very least, achieving a compliant pool fence well ahead of settlement would be a most prudent course of action.
Please circulate this article among any friends, family or co-workers who have swimming pools because although it is a disturbing topic, those of us will pools should enter into discussion head on for the greater good.
