The Queensland Government launched its 2009 pool safety awareness campaign on November 1.

The campaign features parents of children that have drowned or suffered serious immersion incidences in residential swimming pools and emergency workers that have attended drowning scenes.  

In 2008/2009 eight children drowned in swimming pools in Queensland.

While new laws are important, it is essential to remember that effective pool safety depends on parents and carers being vigilant in supervising young children around pools at all times.

Climbable objects, such as garden furniture and pot plants, can present a significant risk to young children.

Causes of drownings

Causes of child drownings in residential pools, identified by the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit include:

• inadequate fencing or no fencing
• lack of gate security
• lack of effective water safety skills
• inadequate supervision
• lack of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills.

Safe pools

There are more than 300,000 residential pools in Queensland. Drowning is one of the leading causes of accidental death in children aged under five in Queensland. It’s important to ensure all pools are safe.

Follow the ABC of pool safety

• Always supervise your toddlers near a pool.
• Begin swimming lessons for your toddlers.
• Close the pool gate and keep your fence maintained.

The importance of fencing

Approximately six toddlers drown in Queensland swimming pools every year. All swimming pool drownings are preventable.

In the decade from 1992 - 2001, 73 children aged under five years drowned in residential swimming pools in Queensland.

• 21% drowned because the pool was not fenced
• 46% drowned because they gained access through the fence (that is, the gate was defective, or the gate was propped open)
• 13% drowned because they gained access through defective house doors (in three-sided fencing permitted for pools approved prior to 1991)

For information on pool fencing laws or enforcement in your neighbourhood, contact your local council