But it’s not all fun in the sun.

Last summer saw a tragic number of lives lost to drowning, with rates more than four times the 10 year average between Christmas and New Year. Sadly, children accounted for a significant portion of these preventable tragedies.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia has developed a home pool safety checklist as part of their latest campaign to promote safe pool use. The checklist allows pool owners to conduct a self-assessment of the home pool and its surrounds to ensure it is safe for everyone to enjoy.

Among the risk factors listed by the campaign, inadequate pool fencing is highlighted as a key contributor to the growing rates of children under five years of age drowning in backyard swimming pools.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia CEO, Justin Scarr, said often pool owners don’t realise their pool fence or gate is faulty and poses a threat to their children’s safety.

“Pool fences, pool gates and latches should be regularly checked and maintained as parts can break or become defective over time.”

The campaign checklist features eight sections; the swimming pool gate, swimming pool fence, around the swimming pool fence, supervision, pump, grates and suction, emergency preparation, chemicals, electricity.

The checklist is a step in the right direction, but it does not substitute for a pool inspection. Pool owners should consider getting a professional assessment of their pool’s compliance, check regulations with their local council or go to the local hardware or pool shop to discuss how to ensure the pool is made safer in time for summer.

“We encourage a love of the water, especially swimming pools,m but urge for safety to be a priority,” said Mr Scarr.

“Active supervision is key to preventing child drowning. It is crucial for parents and carers to follow the four Keep Watch key actions; Supervise, Restrict Access, Water Awareness and Resuscitate. These are not individual strategies but should be used together for maximum safety – if one line of defence fails, there are other prevention measures actively working to prevent drowning”.

Increase safety by creating a barrier between children and water by installing and maintaining a pool fence with a gate, which self-closes and self-latches. Enrolling children in water awareness classes will also help to familiarise them with water and introduce them to basic water safety.

Finally, parents and carers should learn resuscitation skills and ensure they are updated regularly.

For more information and to download the home pool safety checklist visit: www.royallifesaving.com.au