Swimming aids and pool toys
Before your child uses swimming aids and pool toys, think safety first with these helpful tips.
Safety standards
Inflatable aquatic toys must meet prescribed design and construction requirements set out in the mandatory standard.
The swimming and flotation aids mandatory standard prescribes requirements for design and construction, including:
- finish
- source of buoyancy
- valves
- metal parts
- migration of certain elements
- webbing or tapes
- sewed fabric
- small parts.
Find out more about the:
Check age suitability
Make sure all toys and swimming aids are suitable for your child’s age and weight. Swimming aids and pool toys can provide a false sense of your child’s swimming ability.
Use correctly
Swimming aids and pool toys should be used in a safe manner. This applies to:
- floaties or water wings
- noodles
- kick boards
- mermaid fins
- other inflatable and non-inflatable toys.
Do not use pool toys as safety devices.
Check before use
Make sure:
- the inflatable toy or swimming aid has non-return valves with attached stoppers
- there are no leaks or damaged valves.
Remove items when not in use
Swimming aids and pool toys should always be removed from the pool area when they are not in use and stored securely off-site. Otherwise, children may be tempted into the pool area without supervision.
Inflatable pool toys should be deflated when not in use.
Always supervise
Children should always be actively supervised by a responsible adult when in the pool area.
A swimming aid or pool toy is not a substitute for supervision.