Supervision: key to swimming pool safety

Supervision is the key to swimming pool safety for children.

Tips for supervising your child in or around swimming pools and spas

• Watch your child constantly – don’t just occasionally glance towards the water.
• Stay within arm’s reach if your child is young or not a strong swimmer.
• Stay close to the water, even if your child can swim.
• Be ready to get in if there’s an emergency.
• Take your child with you if you leave the pool area, even for a moment.
• At parties or gatherings, make sure there’s a responsible adult whose only job is to supervise children in the pool.
• Never leave older children to supervise younger children.

It’s recommended that you do a first aid course every 3 years and update your CPR skills every year. If there’s a swimming pool emergency, first aid and CPR skills can keep a child alive until an ambulance arrives.

Swimming pool fences: legal requirements

A properly installed, checked and maintained pool fence is an essential part of swimming pool safety for your child.

General requirements

• In all states and territories, all private swimming pools or spas that are 30 cm deep or deeper must have a safety fence around them.
• All fences must meet Australian Standard 1926 (AS 1926) safety requirements.
• You need a building permit before you start putting a pool fence in place.

You can check with your local council for details on specific requirements in your state or territory, including inspection and certification requirements.

Which swimming pools need fences?

• In-ground swimming pools
• Above-ground swimming pools
• Portable pools
• Indoor swimming pools
• Bathing and wading pools
• Jacuzzis
• Hot tubs
• Spas

What are the features of a safe pool fence?

• At least 1.2 m high
• Strong, secure and well maintained
• A self-closing, self-latching, child-resistant gate, with the latch higher than 1.5 m above the ground
• No vertical gaps more than 100 mm apart
• Horizontal bars at least 900 mm apart

How to ensure your pool fence is safe and effective

• Fit and maintain correct safety devices to any gates, doors and windows that can be used to access the pool. These devices include self-closing or self-latching devices or permanent locks.
• Keep the pool gate shut so your child can’t get through without you. Never prop it open.
• Maintain, repair or replace the safety latch if it isn’t working properly – for example, if it no longer self-latches.
• Clear the area of any items that children could use to climb the pool fence – for example, pot plants, boxes, chairs, BBQs and so on.
• Regularly check the pool fence for damage.

In most states and territories, you’re legally required to put up a resuscitation CPR chart in your swimming pool area. Even if it isn’t a legal requirement in your state or territory, it’s a good idea because the chart will remind you of what to do in an emergency. Make sure you can see it from anywhere in the pool area. You can also check out our illustrated guides to CPR for babies and CPR for children and teenagers.

How to keep your child safe around swimming pools: extra tips

Swimming lessons

Get your child familiar with water and water safety by taking them to lessons at the local pool from a young age. Children are never too old to have lessons.

Paddling pools

• Always watch small children around paddling pools.
• Take the water out of your paddling pool immediately after your child has finished playing.
• Store the pool away.

Water mats, lifesaver rings, inflatable vests and water wings

• If your child uses a flotation device, make sure it meets the relevant Australian Standard.
• Remember that flotation devices aren’t designed to prevent drowning, so your child still needs constant supervision.

Neighbours’ pools can be a danger to your child. If your neighbour’s pool isn’t properly fenced, it might be worth letting them know about relevant safety regulations. Keep an eye on your child to make sure they don’t make unsupervised visits, and tell your child about the dangers of swimming without an adult.

Public swimming pool safety

Even in a supervised public pool, never take your eyes off your child. Lifeguards provide supervision for all pool users, but you provide the personal supervision your young child needs. Keep your child within reach at all times while in the water.

Tips for safety at public swimming pools

• Explain to your child that everyone has to obey the lifeguards’ directions.
• Explain that your child should always follow the pool rules, even if other children don’t.
• Be aware of other people in the water, particularly when it’s crowded.
• Watch out for young children.
• Make sure you’ve got towels, dry clothes and anything else you need close by before your child gets in the water.