DID you know that drown
ing is one of the major cau
ses of death for children
under the age of five in
NSW? Each year, on aver
age, 10 children under the
age of five drown in back
yard swimming pools.
If you have a home swimming pool you must,
according to the Swimming
Pools Act 1992, provide and
maintain a fence between
your home, surrounding
properties and public areas
and your pool. There are
different fencing require
ments for swimming pools
depending on when and
where the pool was
installed.
Failure to maintain a proper child safe fence or bar
rier between your swimming pool and house
is an offence. You can be
fined and/or prosecuted if
you fail to comply.
If you own a pool I
encourage you to check
your pool safety barrier and
gates are properly main
tained to minimise the risk
of drowning for your
family, friends and
neighbours. Visit
www.safewater
s.nsw.gov.au and
download a home pool
safety checklist or contact council on 9846 6760 for further information.
Don't forget to drop
by council's website,
www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au, for infor
mation about
upcoming council and
community events in
Hornsby Shire.