Water safety in the home
Swimming pools are not the only water-related risk in the home. Young children can drown in bathtubs, buckets, eskies, toilets, spas, hot tubs and other containers of water.
Always follow these water safety tips when children are in or near water:
- Never leave a child alone in the bath for any reason. If you must leave for any reason at all, take the child with you.
- A baby bath seat or support doesn’t make it okay to leave. It’s a bathing aid, not a safety device. Babies can slip or climb out of the bath seats and drown.
- Never use a baby bath seat or support in a non-skid, slip-resistant tub because the suction cups won’t stick to the bathtub, or they might detach suddenly.
- Never leave a bucket or portable swimming pool containing even a small amount of water unattended. When you’re finished using a bucket or portable pool, always empty it immediately.
- Portable pools that can be filled to a depth of 30 cm or more must be surrounded by a safety barrier separating the swimming pool from any residential building or place adjoining the premises.
- Store buckets and eskies away from children.
- Always secure safety covers and barriers to prevent children from gaining access to spas or hot tubs when not in use. Some non-rigid covers, like solar covers, can allow a small child to slip in the water with the cover appearing to still be in place.
- Keep the toilet lid down to prevent access to the water. Consider using a toilet clip to stop young children from opening lids.
- Learn CPR. It can be a lifesaver.
Making a complaint
When making a complaint, you should include:
- details of the issues you are experiencing
- copies of any correspondence that shows how you have tried to resolve the matter.
How NSW Fair Trading will handle your complaint
Your complaint will be reviewed to determine the most appropriate resolution. This may include:
- providing you with information to help resolve your complaint
- recording the complaint issues to assist in future compliance programs, or
- contacting the other party to try and resolve the dispute.
You can lodge a complaint:
Online
If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.
By mail
Post your complaint form and documentation to:
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
Ask a question
If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry.