With Australia Day just around the corner many of you will be cleaning up your yards, dusting the cob webs off your beloved barbecues and pulling out the budgie smugglers hidden deep within you’re wardrobes. While a day relaxing with friends and family by the pool is a tradition for most Australian families, being relaxed about pool safety isn’t very Australian.
All pool owners must maintain pool barriers, meet all pool fencing regulations and safety standards and fix damaged fencing or barriers immediately. So what does this mean for you?
– Ensure your pool has a barrier that meets state government pool safety legislation. This also may relate to portable pools or spas once they reach a certain volume.
– The pool fencing must be at least 1.2m high when measured from the outside.
– 100mm is the maximum distance allowed between the base of the pool fence and the ground, the gaps between vertical palings must also not exceed 10mm.
– Pool gates must be self-closing and latching, and owners must ensure there are no objects surrounding the gate that would allow children to access the pool unattended by an adult.
– Fences must be made from a durable material including timber, steel, glass or fibre cement.
– Owners must display a CPR sign near the pool area.
Failure to comply with these basic requirements could result in hefty on the spot fines.
While pool safety regulations across Australia are quite similar they may vary from state to state. If you’re unsure if your pool meets the requirements, give your local Hire A Hubby a call on 1800 803 339 or book in for a free safety check here.
(Image Sourced from www.swimmingpoolsafetyinspection.com.au)
