City issues pool and spa alert

By Jim Mynard
TAKE special care with children around pools and spas.
This message comes from the City of Casey as the holiday season starts and the weather hots up.
Casey manager of building services Ron Walker said building regulations placed the responsibility on people to ensure compliant barriers were in place to restrict children from entering the pool or spa areas on their own.
“Whether there are children in your household or not, the rules still apply,” he said.
Mr Walker said it was also an offence to prop open the gate.
“Appropriate pool fencing is an important measure to help prevent drowning and actively supervising children when they are in the water is also absolutely critical.”
He said once pool barriers were in place they needed to be maintained in order for them to fulfil their purpose.
“Ensure that all safety barriers such as gates and doors are closed immediately after entering or exiting the area, and are never propped open.
“Maintain landscaping to ensure that young children cannot climb up tree branches, pot plants and the like to gain access to the swimming pool/spa.
“Regularly check the general area surrounding safety barriers to ensure that chairs, boxes, ropes, pool pumps, clothes lines, dog kennels, and children’s play equipment are not able to be climbed on by young children to gain access to the swimming pool/spa.
“Inspect adjoining properties at the fence line to ensure that, over time, there has not developed potential hazards or climbable objects that may allow access by young children to the pool/spa.
“Have a supervision plan to maintain constant visual contact on children in the pool/spa area. Never take your eyes off them,” Mr Walker said.
“If you are the supervisor and you leave the pool/spa area, take the children with you.
“The City of Casey enforces the fencing of swimming pools and spas as required by the Building Regulations, Building Code of Australia and associated codes that set guidelines for design and layout, as well as penalties for noncompliance.
“The Building Regulations give the council power to fine and/or take offenders to court as necessary.”
To receive an information sheet on pool and spa safety, phone the City of Casey on 9705 5200 or visit the council website at www.casey.vic.gov.au/poolsspas