As toddler drowning deaths increase around Australia, people have urged the government to conduct random safety inspections of backyard pools.
Drowning deaths in children under five jumped by 32 per cent nationally this year and almost 50 per cent of those deaths happened in a swimming pool.
But councils are refusing to act, despite the fact that ‘a pattern of confusion’ has lead to 99 per cent of swimming pools failing a first inspection in Parramatta.
Australians have urged the government to conduct random safety inspections of backyard pools (file picture)
Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said his council found non-compliant pools, using aerial photos
The Office of Local Government said councils were able to perform random checks if ‘they are included in an inspection program in consultation with their community’, but ‘only a handful’ actually do so.
Blacktown mayor Stephen Bali said his council sought unregistered and non-compliant pools using aerial photographs, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Shadow Minister for Local Government Peter Primrose has called on the State government to fund random inspections, while Government Minister Gabrielle Upton said it was up to pool owners to ensure their own compliance.
‘The government does not believe it’s fair that taxpayers — many of whom don’t own a pool — should foot the bill for their local council to inspect somebody else’s pool,’ said a spokesman for Ms Upton.
They added that councils could charge people who own swimming pools up to $150 for inspections.
Concerned parents have weighed in, saying that random checks ‘could save lives’, but parents should always be watching regardless.
Concerned parents have weighed in, saying that random safety inspections ‘could save lives’
Drowning deaths in kids under five jumped by 32 percent this year, with 50 per cent in pools
The latest in a spate of toddler drownings was a two-year-old boy from Adelaide who died in hospital on Wednesday after being found unconscious in a swimming pool.
Emergency services were called to a home in Roxby Downs, north of Adelaide, on Sunday around 7pm to find the toddler unresponsive.
The small child was rushed to hospital but died on Monday. Kidsafe SA chief executive Holly Fitzgerald said most people don’t realise how easy it is for young children to drown, the Advertiser reported.
A toddler was found unresponsive in a backyard pool at a home in Roxby Downs, near Adelaide
Kidsafe SA chief executive said most people don’t realise how easy it is for children to drown
‘It can happen so quickly and silently. Toddlers in particular have no concept of the danger of water,’ she said.
In preparation for the long, hot summer ahead of Australians, Ms Fitzgerald suggests adults stand by the pool and watch their children at all times.
She also commented that water familiarisation, or making sure your child has an adequate number of swimming lessons, is just as important as knowing first aid in case something goes awry.