As the weather heats up, Coasties will be turning to backyard pools to stay cool.

The Auckland Council is urging pool owners to stay vigilant and ensure their pools comply with safety regulations.

Whether you have an in-ground pool or a portable one, the rules are the same: if your pool can hold more than 40 cm of water, entry to the pool must be restricted.

This means having an appropriate barrier or fence to stop young children from entering the pool on their own.

Stuart Airs, the Council's Swimming Pools Compliance Team Leader, says many pools around Auckland do not have adequate fencing in place.

"In the past year, 27 per cent of home pools visited by the council failed their safety inspections — most often due to faulty gates that do not self-close and latch."

Portable pools are also a safety risk, says Airs.

"Portable pools are cheap, easy to set up, and make an exciting present for kids. Unfortunately, they pose a real safety risk for drownings, as people tend to leave them full for long periods of time with unrestricted access."

Under the Building Act, portable pools and spas over 1.2m high do not need a fence around the entire pool, but they do require a barrier around the entry point.

The council urges residents to report any concerns about pool safety to ensure appropriate barriers are put in place.

Remember, no amount of fencing is a substitute for adult supervision.

Here are some top tips for pool safety:

• Stay close to children when playing around water.
• Eyes on! Don’t get distracted.
• Never prop pool gates open.
• Check your gate latches are working.
• Empty small portable pools when not in use.
• Never leave ladders propped against portable pools and spas.

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