Pool fencing laws will save toddlers

The Royal Australasian College of Physicians and The Kids for Child Health Research congratulate the WA State Government on its decision not to water down pool fencing legislation.

Paediatrician, Dr Gervase Chaney, says the decision reflects the best medical evidence and will undoubtedly save the lives of Western Australian toddlers.

Dr Chaney said the RACP disagreed strongly with the recommendations of the Report of the Standing Committee on Environment and Public Affairs in relation to swimming pool fencing (December 2002).

"The report failed to understand the evidence that indicates that four sided pool fencing (category 1) has been shown to be superior in the prevention of deaths of toddlers, " he said.

"A recent study by UWA's Injury Research Centre found that almost two in every three swimming pools in which children drowned had only three sided fencing.

"The risk of a child drowning in a pool with three-sided fencing is almost double that of four-sided fencing.

"Any suggestion to return to the old fencing requirements would have put the lives of toddlers at risk."

Director of The Kids for Child Health Research, Professor Fiona Stanley, said this was an important community issue with drowning the most common cause of accidental death in children under five years of age.

"Sadly, the tragic deaths are only part of the story. For every child that dies, three more are admitted to hospital after a near drowning, and many will suffer severe long term consequences," she said.

"We accept seat belts and speed limits to save lives on our roads - small children need every bit of protection that we can provide to prevent pool drownings.

" The evidence is clear that a properly installed and maintained four sided fence with a self closing and latching gate offers the best safeguard for children."

Both Dr Chaney and Professor Stanley said regular inspection programs and education would also be vital in the campaign to reduce drownings.

Queensland introduced the same legislation requirements in 1992 and in the 10 years since has seen the number on children dying in domestic pools halved (saving at least 70 lives) despite an increase in population and number of pools.

Pool installations in that state have increased 10% per annum demonstrating that a requirement for four sided fencing does not deter new pool owners.