Are swimming pools becoming more dangerous?

Abstract

The rate of childhood drowning and near-drowning accidents in home swimming pools has doubled over the last five years. A study has been undertaken to determine whether this is due simply to an absolute increase in the number of home swimming pools, or whether pools themselves are becoming intrinsically more dangerous, or both. Direct measurement of pool-house ratios has been undertaken by means of aerial photography. Supportive data have been obtained from municipal records. Pool-home ratios for the cities of Canberra and Brisbane are compared (estimated 1: 10.7, and 1:13.3 respectively). It is suggested that swimming pools are not becoming intrinsically more dangerous to children; the data suggest that effective pool legislation will prevent childhood drownings in spite of increasing trends in home pool ownership.