With warmer weather on the way, West Australians are reminded that pools with water deeper than 30cm must have complying safety barriers to prevent child drownings.

This is one of the key messages that the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will share at this weekend’s Pool, Spa and Outdoor Living Expo.

The department’s Building & Energy and Consumer Protection teams are joining forces at the event to help consumers understand a range of pool safety issues, including barriers required for swimming pools, portable pools and spas.

A new user-friendly checklist to help owners of portable pools comply with safety barrier requirements has also been prepared. The Rules for Portable Pools brochure is available online or at the expo.

“Unsupervised young children can drown in a matter of seconds in just a few centimetres of water, so having a barrier to keep them out of pools or spas is about saving lives,” Building Commissioner Ken Bowron said.

“Whether you have a traditional below or above-ground swimming pool, or an inflatable or soft-sided framed wading or paddling pool – if it contains water more than 30cm deep it must be enclosed by an effective safety barrier that complies with the laws.”

The new guide helps pool users check that potential access points to the water comply with the rules, including gates, fences, windows, doors and climbable objects. The checklist is designed to be read in conjunction with the department’s more comprehensive Rules for Pools and Spas booklet.

Meet our team at stand 142 at the Pool, Spa and Outdoor Living Expo this Saturday and Sunday (8-9 September) at Claremont Showground. For more information on pool or spa fencing laws and general pool safety, visit the Building & Energy or Consumer Protection websites or use the short link www.dmirs.wa.gov.au/portable-pools.

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Media contact:  0466 409 828 or bemedia@dmirs.wa.gov.au