Whether you’re already a pool owner or considering upgrading your outdoor spaces with a pool this year, safety must be your number one consideration. From adhering to Australia’s pool safety standards to having appropriate first aid supplies nearby, pool safety is everybody’s business. Fun in the family pool is a terrific summer activity, but it’s crucial that all users, especially children, are kept safe while in and around the water.

 In this article, we’re going to give you the top safety features and tips to make your pool child-friendly.

 

Fencing and barriers

Before worrying about any other safety features, your first consideration must be the fencing around your pool. In Australia, pool fences need to be at least 1.2 metres high, with self-closing and self-latching gates.

There are numerous detailed regulations about pool fencing that we won’t cover in full here, but you can find everything you need in our comprehensive guide to pool fencing. One key point is that these rules usually apply to any pool that’s more than 30cm deep, so that includes spas, too.

 The main reason pool fencing is so important is to protect people, mostly children, from entering the pool unsupervised. Creating a secure barrier is vital to ensuring your pool remains safe and enjoyable for the whole family. Remember, when choosing pool fencing, always look for durable materials that both look great and stand up to Australian conditions.

 

Self-closing and self-latching gates

Self-closing and self-latching gates are essential under Australian pool fencing laws. If you go to the effort of creating a safe barrier around your pool, you don’t want accidents to happen because someone leaves the gate open. Suitable gates will close automatically whenever somebody opens them.

 Latches are susceptible to damage, so make sure you check them regularly to ensure they’re still functioning as expected. As with all aspects of pool fencing laws, there are fines for breaches, but the more disastrous result would be an injury or fatality due to faulty gates.

 

Pool covers

If you want to keep debris out of your pool while it’s not in use, pool covers are the perfect solution. However, pool covers also have major safety benefits. A strong and durable pool cover prevents people from falling into the pool, which is especially useful if you have children playing nearby when the pool isn’t in use.

 Always choose covers that are specifically designed for safety. Importantly, the material needs to be strong enough to support weight if someone accidentally steps on them or falls in. Strong materials prevent people from becoming tangled in the cover. The other great thing about pool covers is they’ll help to reduce water loss caused by evaporation, saving you money, too.

 

Pool alarms

A more modern safety feature to consider is a pool safety alarm. Pool alarms typically use motion sensors to detect movement in the water. Some can also pick up surface waves. The main goal of a pool alarm is to send an alert if unsupervised pool activity is detected. Mostly, this is for parents to ensure children don’t play in the pool without supervision.

 There are various types of pool alarms, so you can find which one suits your needs best. The most advanced solutions connect to smartphone apps, allowing parents to receive alerts whenever pool activity is detected. It’s not only good for monitoring children, but ensuring no unwanted pool users if you’re away from home.

 

Safety ledges

Safety ledges are a cool pool design feature that offers practical benefits as well as improving safety. Safety ledges can run all the way around the edge of the pool, serving as a resting spot if children or adults get into trouble while swimming. If you’ve got young children and your pool is quite deep, this feature is almost essential to add some extra security.

 Safety ledges aren’t just for kids—they provide a convenient spot to hold onto if you’re feeling fatigued or face a medical emergency in the pool. The best part? Safety ledges can be expertly retrofitted to existing pools, tailored to your specific needs for added peace of mind.

 

Non-slip surfaces

If you’ve ever told the kids to stop running around the pool, chances are you’ve done it countless times. Even with the most careful supervision, children have a way of dashing around the pool’s edge, risking slips and falls. That’s why non-slip surfaces are a must—not just around the pool, but also on steps and ladders to ensure everyone’s safety.

 There are a range of options, such as natural permeable surfaces, textured concrete and other non-slip coatings. Of course, non-slip surfaces don’t remove the need to supervise children closely, but they do greatly reduce the risk of accidents.

 

Pool depth markers

It’s not always a first thought when considering safety features, but pol depth markers can be extremely useful. Children and adults can clearly see the depth of the water, allowing them to choose the spaces they feel safe and comfortable in. How you place the markers is completely up to you, but one recommendation is to mark any major depth transitions. If your pool depth doesn’t change drastically, you can just add markers wherever they make sense.

 You can paint pool depth markers on the floor or walls of the pool. It’s important though, that they can be clearly seen. For this reason, you should ensure they are visible above water level, especially for younger swimmers who may not be comfortable opening their eyes underwater.

 

CPR signage

Many Australian pool regulations require pool owners to clearly display CPR signage in the area. If there’s any type of medical emergency around the pool, there are instructions there for anybody to follow. With that said, however, an even better approach is to ensure that all parents, carers and even older children are CPR-trained.

 By combining first aid training and appropriate CPR signage, pool owners not only remain compliant with state-based regulations but also create a safer environment for their families and guests.

 

Shallow areas for young children

If you’re investing in a family pool, you want to make sure the whole family can enjoy it. If you’ve got kids, having a shallow area they can feel comfortable in is essential. However, rather than just ensuring there is a shallow and a deep end, you can go a step further and create a beach entry. This is a gradual slope, allowing people to walk into the water gradually, and it also provides a shallow space for very young children to play.

 Another benefit of beach entries and shallow areas is the fact that they provide fast and easy access for parents supervising. Plus, if the kids get tired, they can get out of the pool easily without worrying about deep water.

 

Rescue and first aid equipment

We already touched on the importance of CPR and emergency signage, as well as first aid training. However, all that preparation might be useless if you don’t have any first-aid equipment on hand. This includes rescue equipment like floatation devices, reaching poles and life rings. These items can literally save a life, especially if a child or unconfident swimmer gets into trouble.

 Regarding first-aid kits, check them regularly to ensure they have all the supplies you could need. Keeping a kit in the house isn’t enough though, especially in the case of an emergency. Always keep your full-stocked kid right near the pool so that it can be accessed quickly and easily.

 

Swim lessons for children

Spending time in the pool is a popular Aussie pastime, but for everybody to enjoy the water safely, swimming lessons are paramount. If you’re confident in your ability, you can teach children the basics in your pool at home, but many children benefit from professional lessons.

 Lessons can prepare kids better for handling unfamiliar situations in the pool, such as understanding which strokes conserve energy if they’re tired. Most schools offer learn-to-swim programs, but if your youngsters want to enjoy the family pool at an early age, get them familiar and comfortable in the water with expert swim lessons.

 

Supervision protocols

No matter how many safety features your pool has, nothing can replace proper supervision. Whenever children are playing in the pool, there should be a responsible adult supervising. This doesn’t mean watching from the kitchen window or just keeping an ear out for trouble. Families should all agree on clear rules about pool activity and supervision.

 The reality is, children can get into trouble quickly in the water, even in shallow areas. Nearby and consistent supervision is always your best defence against accidents and worse.

 

Need more pool safety tips?

Blue Haven has been providing the highest quality swimming pools to Australian families for over 50 years. In that time, one thing has never changed – our commitment to safe pool environments. When you choose Blue Haven, you get a team of experts in lifestyle and pool design, with an attention to detail that ensures all safety factors are considered when designing your new pool. For visually stunning, highly functional and importantly, safe, swimming pools of all shapes and sizes, contact the team at Blue Haven today.

Read More:

• The Importance of Quality Plumbing in Pool Construction
• Sustainable Pool Design: Eco-Friendly Features and Practices