Make a splash in safe pools this summer

With the weather heating up, Fraser Coast homeowners and occupiers are being urged to ensure they know the pool rules to stay safe this summer.

Cr Paul Truscott said Queensland laws defined a swimming pool as any structure that can be filled with water to a depth of 300 millimetres (30cm) or more.

“Pools and spas can be a lot of fun, but with great fun comes great responsibility,” he said.

“Put the phone away and ensure you are always supervising your kids.

“Check your pool fence and gate meet current safety standards. Learn CPR and have a compliant CPR sign displayed. Never leave your pool gate propped open and move anything that is easy to climb away from your fence.

“By following simple tips and abiding by the law, we can ensure every poolside is enjoyable and secure. Safe pools save little lives.”

Cr Truscott said residents must inspect and maintain an existing swimming pool or spa to ensure it meets Queensland Pool Safety Standards requirements.

“There is no room for complacency when it comes to pool safety,” he said.

“If you have recently moved to a property with a pool and are unsure if the fencing complies, please engage a Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licensed pool safety inspector to ensure your barrier is safe.

“All residential swimming pools must have a building approval for the pool and safety barrier and they must be registered with the QBCC.”

The Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report 2023 found that 61 people drowned in Queensland waterways in 2022/23 with 13 per cent of the deaths occurring in a swimming pool.

Regional Queensland leads the nation with nearly one in four regional Queenslanders living in a house with a swimming pool or spa.

More information about swimming pool requirements is available on Council’s website at https://www.frasercoast.qld.gov.au/poolsafety