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Pool-Owners Urged to be Vigilant
Pittwater Council has issued a warning to pool-owners in the community to check their pools are safely fenced.
This follows a tragic accident this week in country NSW when a toddler wandered into a neighbour’s back yard and drowned in a poorly fenced pool.
The owner of the pool has now been charged with manslaughter.
According to the Council’s records, there are over 5000 backyard pools in Pittwater.
Environmental Compliance Manager Jeff Lofts said the Council had embarked on an intensive inspection program during the last eighteen months.
“Owners of existing pools can apply to us to have their pool inspected and registered and get a certificate issued for only $70. We also have resuscitation signs available for $20,” he said.
“We advise pool-owners to learn basic CPR skills as well so they can act in an emergency.”
Mr Lofts said the Council was running workshops for pool-owners to make them aware of the laws governing backyard pools and staff had been invited to sit on an expert panel at Westmead Hospital examining strategies to reduce childhood drownings.
The Department of Local Government website has a checklist for owners to see if their pool complies with current legislation. Visit www.dlg.gov.au for more information.
Contact: Jeff Lofts
Phone: 9970 1136
