Pool Safety for tenants in Queensland

Tenant renting property with a swimming pool

Tenants are responsible for ensuring that the gate is kept closed and that there are not any objects that would allow children to access the pool.

If a person renting a property buys a pool that requires pool safety barriers, the owner of the pool must ensure the pool has a compliant pool safety barrier.

Portable pools and spas

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Portable pools and spas can pose a serious safety risk to young children.

A number of child drownings in recent years have occurred in portable pools and spas so it is important to consider the safety of young children around these pools.

Portable pools and spas excluded from the new laws

Queensland's pool safety laws do not apply to portable pools or spas that:

• cannot be filled with more than 300mm of water
• have a maximum volume of 2000 litres
• have no filtration system.

All 3 criteria above must be met to be excluded. Many models of portable pools sold at department stores and pool shops meet these criteria, but you should check before buying.

Portable pools and spas covered by the new laws

If your portable pool or spa can hold more than 300 mm of water, has a volume of more than 2000 litres or has a filtration system, the new laws apply to you. You will need to:

• obtain a certificate from a licensed building certifier stating that your pool complies with the pool safety standard, before filling the pool or spa with more than 300mm of water
• obtain a building approval
• register your pool or spa.

If your portable pool is disassembled and does not hold more than 300mm of water, it does not need to comply with the pool safety standard until it is assembled and filled with more than 300mm of water.

Improve your pool safety

The Queensland Government's pool safety awareness campaign calls on parents, those supervising children and pool owners to follow the ABC of pool safety:

• Always supervise your children near a pool.
• Begin swimming lessons for your children.
• Close the pool gate and keep your fence maintained.
• Ensure that there are no climbable objects near the pool fence and gate. This includes pot plants, BBQ’s, chairs, tables or items that children can use to access the pool. (it is illegal to have climbable objects near the pool).

Did you know?

• Child drownings in Queensland swimming pools accounts for one quarter of all paediatric injury deaths and is the most common cause of traumatic death for children aged 1 to 4 years.
• Approximately half of all drownings involving children under 5 years occurred in residential swimming pools.
• For every child drowning, up to 14 children are taken to hospital emergency departments, and 4 are admitted to hospital.
• Approximately 6-7% of children will develop neurological deficits and will be permanently disabled or die as a consequence of nearly drowning.
• It is estimated that for every child taken to hospital emergency departments, there are 10 near misses—that is, children suffering immersion who are quickly rescued.

This information has been sourced from www.hpw.qld.gov.au October 2012 by www.realestateexcellence.com.au