Portable pool or a coffin for Christmas ???

Media release: Portable pool or a coffin for Christmas?

by Hannah's Foundation on Friday, December 2, 2011 at 10:14am

Portable pool or a coffin for Christmas



Hannah’s Foundation Drowning Prevention, Awareness and Support charity is issuing warnings about water safety after drowning hospitalisations and fatalities and says more parents will be burying a child this Christmas if the warnings aren’t heard.



Another drowning in back yard pool sparks more warnings, the child has been rushed to hospital, the child is currently stable. A fatal toddler drowning two weeks ago in Morpeth in an unfenced backyard pool that had been purchased only two days before Little Darcy’s death. The message is strong, ALWAYS SUPERVISE SWIMMERS and CHILDREN around water. Empty the pools but always fence your pool.



“Today’s latest news of a child drowning highlights the life threatening dangers of leaving portable pools unfenced and unattended” Katherine Plint said.



“It’s really important that no matter what swimming skills you have, you can drown in an instant and water is just so unpredictable, toddlers need to be supervised with constant ‘eyes on’ always” she said.



“We urge people that if they do buy portable pools that necessary safety precautions are being taken, always Supervise the child in the water, make sure the pool is emptied and never turn your back on a child in water not even for a second”



“Last year was horrible for drownings and accidents like this are a constant reminder and this is no exception. This year we are needing the media to help with stepping up the messages so that people listen to them, because drowning does not discriminate” she said.



“Water safety and drowning prevention messages need to be ‘in your face’ so that people are constantly reminded of the imminent dangers” she said.



“In the past month Hannah’s Foundation has been able to provide support to seven families and whilst funding is very low we urge people to help support the only charity in Australia supporting families affected by drowning fatalities and injuries because our peak season is now upon us. This week alone two families need support burying their children.” she said.



“This week and the weeks ahead are just the warning signs for what is install this summer and people need to be aware of the dangers of portable pools.”



“New pool fencing laws come into effect on December 1st in Qld yet sadly in NSW and VIC those changes were not as extensive. More drownings will happen if something isn’t done.”



Kelly Taylor, mother of Jaise who drowned in a rental property last September is calling for Jaise’s Law for NSW.



Kelly Taylor said “This drowning and others like it break my heart. I can’t sit and do nothing I have to educate people on drownings and that it can take your child's life. Pools are dangerous and they must be fenced to the Australian Standards.”



She said “the pool that Jaise drowned in wasn’t safe, it had multiple breaches and was a rental property I was visiting whilst on holidays. It all happened in a matter of seconds when Jaise was being pulled from the pool”



“Jaise’s Law is being advocated to include a State Wide pool register, Adoption of the full Australian Standards and the Qld laws that abolished over 11 pieces of legislation rolling Swimming pool laws it into ONE LAW”. She said.



Mrs Taylor said “I never want another person to suffer the pain my family goes through, our thoughts are with this family today but we need the media to help us get messages constantly out there”



Andrew Plint, Founding Director said “Retailers need to be urged to take a social responsibility and not provide pathetic warnings on boxes of portable pools. They know that items can’t be sold without a fence, yet they don't take an active role in educating the consumer.”



“I would be encouraging not to buy blow up pools over Christmas because that $100 pool requires a pool fence, a council application and certification. All portable pools especially those with filtration systems, over 30cm deep and hold over 2000 litres of water must be fenced, have a council building permit and Certification by council.” He said.



“That $100 gift may cost a child their young life” Mr Plint said



“Perhaps the Federal Government should adopt similar warnings to cigarettes packets and start putting photos of those who have died or suffered an injury in an unfenced pool on these death traps”

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