Toddler drowning prompts warning on decks

All pools should have a 1.2m fence. File picture / Hawke's Bay Today

The coroner investigating the death of a 17-month-old has urged homeowners not to build swimming pools below decks and terraces.

The boy died in Whangarei Hospital on January 16 after scaling balcony railings and drowning in the home swimming pool below.

It was the second time in a fortnight the toddler had climbed the railing in a bid to get to reach the pool.

"He loved water," his mother said. "About two weeks before he'd pulled a deck chair across and climbed on to the railing when my mother caught him."

After that incident the family had moved deck chairs away from the area.

At an inquest on Friday, coroner Max Atkins found the infant died from drowning in a swimming pool.

Mr Atkins requested the family's names not be published to prevent further grief and duress.

"I want to stress as strongly as possible that no blame is attributed in this tragic accident. It clearly happened in a flash," he said.

Mr Atkins recommended swimming pools should not be established below terraces or decks.

If that was the only site suitable, deck railings should be at least the minimum required height of pool fencing of 1.2m he said.

- NZPA