Summer pool safety warning for parents

Parents are being warned about the dangers of portable pools, with young lives at risk this summer.

South Australia’s Commissioner for Consumer Affairs Dini Soulio warns people need to be aware because it can take just seconds for fun to turn to tragedy.

“Coming into summer Pools are a great idea to help kids cool down and have some fun but they are really dangerous,” Mr Soulio said.

This year the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has received more than 20 reports about pools and pool equipment.

It has joined forces with the Royal Life Saving Society and state regulators to launch a safety campaign.

“There are some things that people need to take into account before they buy one,” Mr Soulio said.

Any portable pool that's 30cm deep or more needs a fence.

And others may even need to go through an approval process.

“If it has a filtration system they will need to obtain council approval and there will be requirements for safety features,” Kidsafe SA’s Holly Fitzgerald said.

“You're looking for something that meets Australian standards and has an Australian standards label on it,” Mr Soulio said.

One young child dies from drowning in a portable pool in Australia each year and many others are hospitalised.

And pools don't have to be deep to pose a threat.

“Children can drown in as much as five centimetres of water,” Mr Soulio said.

“It happens so quickly and so silently and restricting access is really important.”

Parents are also urged to watch their children and ensure they're within arm’s reach whenever they are in or around water.

Portable pools should also be emptied and stored in where they can't fill with rain water or water from sprinklers.

“They're up all summer and can be accessed by young children at any time so active supervision around water is so important,” Ms Fitzgerald said