Pool Fencing

Background

Program Goals:

Brisbane, Australia: To legislate isolation pool fencing (4-sided fencing enclosing domestic pool, providing a static physical access barrier between the house and the pool) to reduce the high incidence of drownings in domestic pools in Australia

Intent:

Unintentional

Risk Factors Addressed:

Reduce unintended access to domestic pools by children

Place of occurrence:

Home environment

Age/Age Range:

Toddlers

Resources

Year Developed:

1991

Collaborative Organization(s):

Emergency Department of Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Legislation drafted by a delegation consisting of government officials and members of the medical community

Funding Resource(s):

Australian Government

Costs:

Government continues to replenish modest funds (approximately  $50K AU annually) on public awareness campaigns

Implementation

Context/Setting:

Community

Strategies Used:

Evaluation, Engineering, Enactment

Activities Used:

Combination of legislation, information and awareness campaigns, and education

Program Evaluation:

Overall success of legislation and public awareness campaign measured in collaboration with the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit (overseen by Queensland Health) to collect, monitor and compare before and after evidence of drowning rates

Source of Best Practice:

Volpe, R., Lewko, J., & Battra, A. (2002). A Compendium of Effective, Evidence-Based Best Practices in Prevention of Neurotrauma. University of Toronto Press, Toronto.

Original Source:

Health Canada. (1997). For the safety of Canadian children and youth: From injury data to preventive measures. Minister of Public Works and Government Canada

Supplementary Material:

N/A

Local Example(s):

N/A

Contact Information: 

Dr. W. Robert Pitt
Director, Pediatric Emergency
Mater Children’s Hospital
Annerley Road
South Brisbane
Queensland
4101 Australia
Tel:  61-7-3840-3825
Email: rpitt@mater.org.au

Outcomes

Long-term outcomes/Effectiveness:

Comparison of before and after drowning rates has reinforced the need for continuing legislation and educational campaigns;
Main problem continued to be the failure of pool owners to maintain the pool gate (to prevent unintended access)

Short-term outcomes:

Legislation combined with the awareness campaign resulted in a decrease in the number of drownings;
High level of awareness;
Modification of behavior (pool owners accepted the legislation  

Other Benefits:

Medical community and government worked together so concerns over safety were balanced against the personal rights of a pool owner in his/her backyard

Other

Date of Review:

2000

Classification:

Best Practice