With summer almost upon us and the weather warming up, Port Macquarie-Hastings residents are being reminded to check the safety of their backyard swimming pools and spas.
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Ensuring pool gates self-close, resuscitation signage is clearly in place and having a compliance inspection complete are all important steps to keep pool areas safe and secure.
“It’s important that anyone who owns a swimming pool completes a safety audit to ensure their pool is compliant with the law,” said acting director Dan Croft.
“A few simple safety precautions taken now can go a long way to preventing a terrible accident from occurring in the future.”
It’s estimated that there’s more than 5,500 pools in the Port Macquarie-Hastings region, with all pool owners required by law to register their pool on the NSW Swimming Pool Register, which has been a legal requirement in New South Wales since 2013.
“Council will be undertaking swimming pool registration checks in the coming months, and pool owners who fail to register could face a penalty of up to $220,” Mr Croft said.
In preparation for the warmer weather and to ensure your pool is safe and ready for a splash this summer you should:
- Register your pool or spa at swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au
- Obtain a certificate of compliance by arranging an inspection by a council compliance officer
- Keep gates closed at all times and ensure they self-close and are self-latching
- Don’t place climbable objects near pool fences
- Display a CPR chart within 3m of your pool
- Supervise children at all times
