Protect your kids - make sure your pool fence does not fail. With summer heating up and fences found to fail safety tests, all homeowners with swimming pools are encouraged to ensure their pool barriers are safe.
In a 2004 study of 31 pool fences, 18 failed to meet Australian safety standards for strength and rigidity.
According to Pia Vogel, Managing Director of , far greater importance should be placed on pool fence and gate safety.
During the 2005/06 period, 37 children aged between 0 and 4 lost their lives in accidental drownings – above the previous five year average of 36.
“Losing 37 toddlers to drowning is simply devastating,” Vogel says. “It’s even more of a tragedy because many drowning deaths are preventable.
“Adequate barriers are crucial to prevent toddler deaths. Of the 37 toddlers who drowned, 25 fell or wondered into water.”
“Pool barrier safety must be a priority,” Vogel says. “At the very least, homeowners should make sure their pool fences and gates meet Australian standards.
“Even if you have a fence that met standards when it was purchased, you should get it checked periodically. Over time, fences can lose strength; gate closing mechanisms might fall short of closing all the way and latches may fail.
“Have a professional check your fence - some local councils offer this service free of charge.
“Be certain to remove any objects that could be used to climb over a fence; ensure gaps are too small to climb through and avoid fences that are attached to the house. We recommend fences that fully enclose the pool area.
“And be especially cautious if considering a flat-top fence as 14 of the 16 flat-top tubular-metal pool fences failed in the 2004 safety test,” Vogel says.
HomeSource is a member based provider of homeowner solutions and advocacy and has experts who can advise on pool gates and fences.