Kidsafe Victoria has backed the concept of backyard swimming pool registration being considered by the Victorian Government.
“The big advantage of having a pool registered and an approach which requires houses being sold or rented having to have a pool safety check by a certified inspector means that in the future backyard pools generally, would be upgraded and maintained in a safer condition,” said the President of Kidsafe Victoria, Robert Caulfield.
“The registration program will also create an ongoing awareness of backyard swimming pool safety for all families”.
“The tragedy of a drowning or near drowning on families can have a lifetime impact. For every drowning death there are three near-drownings, which can result in a child receiving permanent brain damage.”
Mr Caulfield said children drown quickly and quietly.
Kidsafe urges all parents with pools or where children visit homes with pools or spas to make sure they maintain constant supervision of their children near water.
Since the introduction of compulsory pool fencing, there has been a reduction in the number of backyard pool drowning of toddlers.