CALL FOR VIGILENCE AROUND KIDS IN POOL

A GOLD Coast lawyer has called for homeowners to embrace a ‘designated driver’-type system to watch children every minute they are in a pool.

The Queensland Ambulance Service has recorded 30 near drownings in the state since November, with many having involved unattended children in swimming pools.

Lawyer Bruce Simmonds said when it came to water safety, society should replicate the ‘designated driver’ culture that has helped reduce drinkdriving.

“Some foresight now could avoid a lot of heartache later,” he said. “It’s too easy for people to all be having a good time and just assume ‘someone’ will be keeping an eye on the kids in the pool.”

Mr Simmonds, who has acted for families torn apart by child drownings, said summer revellers often lost sight of their responsibilities, particularly when alcohol was involved.

“We need to change the mindset,” the Parker Simmonds Solicitors and Lawyers litigation director said.

“You can’t leave kids alone in a pool for even a minute. A pool fence is also no guarantee of safety. Determined kids can climb over them in seconds.

“As a parent I cannot imagine the heartache of losing your child in such a way but it’s happening all the time still. Children are in a pool and an adult leaves them alone for some inane reason.”

Mr Simmonds said pool safety enforcement should focus on education rather than revenue raising through fines.

“Enforceable pool laws are in themselves a good thing if they save young lives,” he said.

“Too many children are drowning in home pools and the danger soars over the summer period … but I’ve seen too much focus on fines and penalties rather than the education aspect.”