Backyard pools and spas are welcome places to escape the Canberra summer heat, but home swimming pools are also the most common location for drowning for children under the age of five in the ACT.

Rebecca Vassarotti, ACT Minister for Sustainable Building and Construction, called on Canberrans to be backyard lifeguards this summer and ensure their pool barriers meet best practice safety standards.

“As a community, we are all responsible for safety around pools and spas,” Ms Vassarotti said. “We want everyone in our community to feel confident with the knowledge that they are swimming and playing in areas that are safe and secure.”

While national pool barrier standards for new home swimming pools have strengthened over time, some pools in the ACT, particularly pools installed before 2010, do not meet current pool safety standards, which can result in serious injuries or backyard tragedies, Ms Vassarotti said.

The ACT Government is developing a new requirement for pool owners to ensure that their pool barrier meets current safety standards.

Community consultation will occur early next year to seek feedback on issues such as appropriate transition timeframes and circumstances where exemptions might be appropriate.

In the meantime, Canberrans should read the ACT Government’s pool barrier safety factsheet on the Backyard Lifeguard website, and self-assess their swimming pool, spa, and surrounding area to ensure it is safe.

Ms Vassarotti also urged all Canberrans to be vigilant with their children, family, and friends around swimming pools.

“Always watch your kids, and teach them to swim and be safe around water. Check that your pool fences, gates, and other barriers are secure and keep gates to pools and spas shut.”

Inflatable pools also pose a risk, and children should be monitored when using them. Pool toys such as floatation aids are for fun, but they don’t replace the need for adult supervision.

Learn more about having a swim safe summer by visiting the Backyard Lifeguard website.