ONE-YEAR-OLD GIRL DROWNS IN BACKYARD POOL

A ONE-YEAR-OLD girl who drowned in a home pool yesterday was the eighth preschooler drowning of 2014, Water Safety New Zealand says.

Christmas celebrations turned to tragedy for a South Auckland family when the infant was found drowned in a temporary backyard pool.

St John communications said they were called to the house at 12.42.

The child could not be resuscitated and was not transported to hospital.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge said temporary pools were subject to the same legislation as permanent pools, though in practice this was not enforced.

Claridge said Water Safety did not advocate that the pools be abolished as the statistics did not show they were a significant danger.

‘‘We are all about personal responsibility,’’ he said.

‘‘Any body of water is potentially dangerous. It only takes an inch of water for a kid to drown.

‘‘When the pool is not in use it needs to be emptied and turned over. That’s the only safe way.’’

Claridge said preschoolers represented 7 per cent to 8 per cent of drowning statistics but the number should be zero.

They were the most vulnerable group and therefore should be supervised constantly, he said

Five preschoolers drowned last year, two in 2012 and 12 in 2011.

Police said yesterday’s drowning had been referred to the coroner.

They also issued a warning about beaches and pools, saying water sports were ‘‘a big part of the New Zealand lifestyle’’.

‘‘Unfortunately, they can also be potentially dangerous places, particularly where young children are concerned.

‘‘Police wish to remind parents and caregivers that young children should be directly supervised by an adult when they are around water.’’