Safer Pool Choices

If you own a pool, you’ll know you are responsible for meeting South Australian safety requirements.

To help protect your neighbours, friends and family make sure your pool is fully fenced.

Remember:

  • Every Australian who owns a pool with a depth of 300mm or more is required to fence it in accordance with State or Territory legislation. This also applies to spa pools and portable pools.
  • In the majority of cases where children aged under five years have drowned, the swimming pool fences have not complied with the legislation. Your local council can provide information on what your responsibilities are.
  • Ensure your pool fence has a self-closing, self-latching gate in working order. Many children have drowned when their carer was unaware they were anywhere near the pool.
  • All portable pools supplied in Australia are required to display a warning label with general safety information, including whether fencing laws apply. If you purchase a portable pool, follow this safety advice and contact your local council for information if fencing is required.
  • Active supervision is always necessary. Stay at arm’s length when your child is learning to swim.
  • Pool toys and floatation aids have been involved in many cases where children have drowned or been seriously injured. Only use floatation aids in good order, appropriate for the age and weight of the child. Don’t forget to tidy toys away after use so they don’t attract children into the pool.

Make safer pool choices with pool safety information on:

Portable pool safety checklist

Portable pools may also be advertised as wading pools, paddling pools, inflatable pools and kiddie pools.

Safety checklist:

  • Check with your local council for fencing requirements.
  • Always actively supervise children within arms’ reach whenever they are in or around the water.
  • Never rely on older children to supervise younger children, no matter how confident you are in their ability.
  • For smaller pools ensure they are emptied and put away after use.
  • When not in use, store the pool securely out of reach of young children.
  • Ensure the pool cannot fill with rainwater or water from sprinklers.
  • Don’t exceed the number of adults or children the pool can safely hold.

For more information on how to make your portable pool safe see these two factsheets:

South Australians are reminded about the dangers of portable pools each summer.

The Don't Duck Out, Make It SAFE initiative takes place because on average one child dies from drowning in a portable pool each year with other children hospitalised. Some are left with severe brain damage.

Portable pools range from small blow-up or plastic paddling pools to bigger wading pools, inflatable spas or high-sided flexible plastic pools on a frame. Under the Australian Consumer Law all portable pools must have warning labels about the drowning risk.

Safety advice

Don't duck out of your responsibilities, make it SAFE.

  • Supervise. Once the pool has water in it, actively watch children and keep them within arm's reach at all times. Don't leave older children in charge of younger kids as they may not recognise the signs of drowning.
  • Act. Know what to do in the event of a drowning incident. Learn CPR - it's important to start compressions and breaths right away when a child is pulled from the water, and call Triple Zero (000) so help is on the way. If possible shout out for someone else to call Triple Zero (000) while you do CPR.
  • Fence. In South Australia, if a pool depth holds 30cm or more of water, it must have a compliant safety barrier. Contact your local council for further information on this legal requirement.
  • Empty. For pools that don't need to be fenced, empty and deflate the portable pool and store out of reach of children. Never leave an empty pool where it can refill with rain or sprinkler water.

Read more about making portable pools safe at www.productsafety.gov.au/makeitsafe

About the campaign

This national campaign involves consumer protection / product safety regulators and the Royal Life Saving Society - Australia. The campaign is also supported by drowning prevention ambassadors, including a mum whose son died in December 2017, two years after suffering irreversible neurological injuries when drowning in an unfenced portable pool at a relative's house in Western Australia.

Some major Australian retailers have agreed to go the extra mile and display 'Don't Duck Out, Make it SAFE' promotional materials in store and/or put stickers on portable pool boxes as products are bought to promote the key safety messages.