Taty loves to have a splash in the water … especially in her grandmother’s backyard pool.
But the 10-year-old’s grandma, Christine Rudkovsky, knows there’s no room to be lax when it comes to safety around water.
Children aged between 0 and 14 have made up the highest proportion of drowning deaths in backyard pools since 2000, according to Life Saving Victoria.
But the deaths are generally avoidable, with evidence suggesting most were a result of fencing that was faulty or not compliant with Australian standards, LSV principal research associate Bernadette Matthews said.
“We urge people who have a home pool to check the safety of their pool fences and surrounding areas before your child does,” Dr Matthews said.
“Of course, a pool fence is still no substitute for active supervision of children around water.
“For toddlers and children under five, this means being within arm’s reach, so that you can help them stay safe,” she said.
“We also recommend that children under 10 are always in your sights, and that you aren’t distracted by your phone or reading a magazine.”
Slater and Gordon senior public liability lawyer Barrie Woollacott said pool owners could face criminal charges, including manslaughter, if their fences are not compliant with safety standards.
For more information and tips on pool safety, visit lsv-from-anywhere.com.au/poolchecklist.
