DROWNINGS can happen in just a second, which is why it is crucial for children to be supervised while swimming at all times.
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MIA residents have been reminded of the dangers of backyard pools and urged to keep an eye on children each and every time they are around water.
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death in very young children across Australia.
Tragically, every year several children drown in backyard swimming pools.
Home pool fencing and effective supervision can reduce these tragic drowning deaths to zero.
Francois Van Der Berg from Leeton Shire Council said there are over 500 backyard swimming pools in the shire and urged the importance of swimming pool safety at all times.
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That number is larger in Griffith, with residents there also warned of the dangers.
"It is vital to ensure supervision of children and check the operation of your pool gate and latching mechanism, rigidity of the barrier, and trees and other objects like pot plants and taps, are not located in places that could be used for climbing into the pool area," Mr Van Der Berg said.
"Inflatable and portable swimming pools must comply with the same pool barrier requirements as regular swimming pools, if they are capable of being filled with water to a depth greater than 300 millimetre."
To assist pool owners to ensure safety, a home pool safety checklist with more details can be downloaded at https://www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au/checklists
Councils have a statutory obligation to undertake swimming pool inspections.
Staff from councils in both Leeton, Griffith and Murrumbidgee will continue to implement random pool inspections to ensure back yard pools comply with legislated requirements.
Residents and ratepayers will receive notification in writing prior to an inspection taking place.