As temperatures rise, the Narromine Shire Council are concerned about safety surrounding the large number of inflatable swimming pools throughout the shire.
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A high percentage of these pools can be easily seen and accessed from both public and private properties and as such present a significant risk to the community, the council stated.
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The Council’s General Manager Jane Redden said they are concerned with the ease of access to these swimming pools.
“It is important that all pools, which can be filled to a depth of 300mm or more, are surrounded by a child resistance barrier as this is in align with the Swimming Pools Act 1992,” Ms Redden said.
“Swimming pool safety is an issue that we do not take lightly and Council Officers will be doing their utmost to ensure compliance with the Act and Regulations to prevent a drowning tragedy occurring in our Shire.”
Key findings from Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2018 include:
- 249 people drowned in Australian waterways, a 14% decrease compared to 2016/17
- It is estimated a further 551 people were hospitalised due to non-fatal drowning
- 72% of drowning deaths were men, with alcohol and risk taking a common factor
- Rivers, creeks and streams were the location with the largest number of drowning deaths, accounting for 25% of all drowning deaths
- 18 children aged 0-4 years drowned in Australia, which represents a 36% reduction on the 10 year average
- 67% of drowning deaths of children aged 0-4 years were in swimming pools.
- 25% of all drowning deaths occurred when swimming and recreating
- Two in five drowning deaths occurred in summer
If you have any concerns with your inflatable pool or notice an inflatable pool you are concerned about please contact the Council on 6889 9999 or email: mail@narromine.nsw.gov.au.
