30 January 2025 · Australian News · Uncategorized 

A devastating incident in Bali has reignited concerns over swimming pool safety, particularly in overseas holiday destinations where regulations often fall short of Australian standards. A three-year-old girl from Sydney drowned in a villa’s swimming pool, despite her family believing the pool gate was locked. The tragedy underscores the critical importance of secure and compliant pool barriers, as well as the dangers of assuming international accommodations meet the same safety standards as those back home.

The incident has left many questioning how such preventable tragedies continue to happen, especially in destinations popular with Australian tourists. In Australia, pool fencing laws are among the strictest in the world, with regulations requiring self-closing, self-latching gates and fences of at least 1.2 metres in height to prevent children from gaining unsupervised access to pools. In contrast, many resorts and private accommodations in Bali and other parts of Southeast Asia have little to no enforcement of pool fencing laws, leaving young children particularly vulnerable.

According to child safety experts, pool fencing is one of the most effective ways to prevent drownings, but only if it is properly installed and maintained. In this case, the family had assumed the pool gate was secure, but tragically, it was not. The dangers of faulty or non-existent fencing cannot be overstated, with drowning remaining one of the leading causes of accidental death for young children.

The situation has prompted renewed calls for stronger global standards on pool safety, particularly in tourism hotspots where families frequently stay in villas and resorts with private pools. Some advocacy groups are pushing for mandatory safety inspections in international rental properties, while others stress the importance of raising awareness among travelers about checking pool safety before booking accommodation.

James, a spokesperson for Kerry Custom Works, a pool fencing company in Australia, believes that education and awareness are just as important as regulation when it comes to preventing tragedies. “The reality is that not every country has strict fencing laws like Australia, so it’s up to parents to be extra vigilant when traveling,” he said. “At home, it’s about making sure gates self-latch and fences are up to code, but when overseas, families need to ask questions, inspect the property, and never assume a pool is child-safe.”

While stronger global regulations may take time to implement, the immediate takeaway is clear, parents need to be proactive about pool safety, whether at home or abroad. Drowning is silent and swift, and even a few moments of inattention can lead to irreversible consequences. Ensuring pools are properly fenced, gates are locked, and children are always supervised remains the most effective way to prevent future tragedies.

As more families look to travel internationally, it is crucial to prioritise safety over convenience, especially when choosing accommodations. While poolside villas may offer a dream holiday experience, they also come with risks that should never be underestimated. The heartbreaking loss of a child serves as a stark reminder that a single unlocked gate can mean the difference between life and death.