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.