AMA (NSW) President welcomes safer backyard pool laws

AMA (NSW) President, Dr Saxon Smith, is welcoming the NSW Government’s moves to increase the safety of backyard pools.

“The NSW Government is doing a lot of good work to increase safety for the community and it’s good to see it continuing work on backyard pools.

“Sadly, a majority of the children who drown in NSW do so in private pools.

“Backyard pools are also the sites at which many children suffer non-fatal immersion-related injuries.

“Some of the survivors develop permanent brain injuries.

“I’m very glad the NSW Government is continuing to develop laws that will increase the safety of backyard pools,” Dr Smith said.

“The new laws mean homebuyers need to be fully-informed about the safety compliance of pools on properties that are being sold.

“This will alert them if any work needs to be done to pool fences to ensure they meet safety standards,” Dr Smith said.

“Parental supervision of children is absolutely vital when children are around water.

“However, it is equally necessary to ensure pools are safely fenced off when not in use,” Dr Smith said.

Media contact: Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955