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Auckland Council is urging residents to be extra vigilant around pop-up pools this summer.
As the days get hotter and families set up temporary backyard pools, the council warns whānau with young children to keep safety in mind.
The warning comes after a toddler drowned in their family’s temporary above-ground pool.
Auckland Council team leader swimming pools compliance, Wayne Daniel said it was a sad reminder that toddlers will be curious and will wander.
“When a drowning ‘statistic’ turns out to be someone you know, the impact is life changing. That’s why it’s so important for parents and caregivers to keep watch of their children when playing near water, within sight and reach, without distraction.”
Under the current Building Act, any pool that has a depth of 40cm of water or more is legally required to have a barrier or fencing around it to prevent any unsupervised access. Portable pools which are over 1.2m high do not need a full fence but must have a barrier around the entry point.
Daniel said he and his team are seeing an increase in the number of temporary pop-up pools that are unregistered.
“This is because they are cheap and readily available. They are easy to set and forget and pose the same safety risks for drowning as permanent pools. A toddler can drown in just 40cm of water and it can happen so quickly. People don’t tend to realise just how little it takes.
“For little ones, that means being in the water with them, watching them and keeping them safe.
“Even if you don’t have young children yourself, don’t be complacent. You never know who will be visiting your property.”
To keep children safe this summer the council recommends the following actions:
- Stay close to children whenever near or in water, check pool fencing and barriers are in good condition and the entry points to the pool are properly restricted.
- Make sure pool fences are 1.2m high, gates self-latch, self-close and that latches are 1.5m above ground. Regularly check that gate latches are working properly and remove any climbable objects.
- Make sure whoever’s supervising children never get distracted and never prop pool gates open.
- Always empty portable pools when not in use and never leave ladders prop up against the walls of pools.
