Issue Date:  -  Thursday, 18 September 2003

Check pools & spas for death traps

As the weather warms up and the kids start to eye off the backyard pool and spa, the Consumer Protection Commissioner has an important warning for parents.

“While performing your post winter maintenance on your pools and spas make sure you do not overlook a vital part of ensuring the safety of your loved ones and friends”, Patrick Walker said.

“In addition to checking you have the right chemicals, alkaline levels and cleanliness, inspect the skimmer box area to ensure it is not a potential killer”, he said.

A skimmer box is the cleaning and filtering unit at the side of a pool or spa that operates on a pump, causing water and debris to be vacuumed into the unit.

“Horrific injuries and death have occurred when people, usually children, have sat on or become suctioned into sub-standard skimmer boxes.

“Serious internal injuries are inflicted within seconds due to the strong suction”, Commissioner Walker said.

To comply with safety standards skimmer boxes must have a safety ‘skirt’ securely in place and a lid securely fixed that can only be removed by using an appropriate tool.

Older pools and spas that may not comply can be made safe:

There are low cost conversion kits available from pool suppliers and pool supply shops, you can either ‘do it yourself’ or the retailers may have a list of trades people you could get quotes from

Alternatively, affix a bar or other fitting permanently over the top of a non-compliant skimmer box to prevent anyone from sitting on or lying over the skimmer box

Affix a lockable ‘lid’ over the ‘hole’ of the skimmer box

Consumers who have recently moved into a home with an existing pool should also check skimmer box covers, as should those considering the purchase of a second hand pool or spa.

Call Consumer Protection’s Product Safety on 9244 1299 for further information.