Northern Beaches’ residents are being reminded to check the safety of their backyard swimming pools as the summer season fast approaches.
Mayor Michael Regan said that with more than 18,000 private swimming pools on the Northern Beaches, it was vital that owners did the right thing.
“It’s great to enjoy a swim on a hot day but drowning is the number one cause of death in children under five and that is tragic.
“Anyone with a swimming pool must do the right thing and protect our young ones.
“Please take the time to check your pool is safe and complies with the law.
“A little prevention now can prevent a terrible tragedy from occurring,” Mayor Regan said.
Safety requirements and measures include:
· Pools to be registered through swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
· Engage a Council accredited certifier or an E1 accredited certifier to inspect the child resistant barrier of the pool for compliance
· Obtain a certificate of compliance for your pool by engaging a Council accredited certifier or an E1 accredited certifier
· Child resistant barriers are to comply with the relevant version of the Australian Standard (AS1926) at the time of the pool construction. Any alteration/modifications to the barriers must comply with the latest up-to-date Australian Standard
· Gates must be closed at all times and be self-closing and self-latching
· Climbable objects are not to be placed against pool barriers
· CPR charts must be displayed
· Take great care with electrical hazards such as portable pumps and filters
· Inflatable pools may also require a child resistant barrier
· Child resistant barriers are to be maintained regularly
· Children should be supervised at all times
More information can be found at the Royal Life Saving Society here and Northern Beaches Council has more information, including a home owner’s check list and the relevant laws here.
To obtain a Swimming Pool Certificate of Compliance application, please click this link https://files.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/pdf-forms/swimming-pool-compliance-certificate/2056-swimming-pool-certificate-compliance.pdf
Compliance certificates are required before a house with a swimming pool can be sold or rented.