WITH drowning one of the major causes of death for NSW children under five, Baulkham Hills Shire Council is reminding Hills residents to keep their pools safe and secure.

Each year, 10 children drown in backyard swimming pools and many more suffer brain damage and other serious injuries associated with near-drowning experiences.

The council's group manager for environment and planning services, Michael Edgar, said that in the past 20 years, five reported pool deaths have occurred in The Hills.

``Pool deaths are a tragedy and everything that can be done should be done to prevent child drownings,'' Mr Edgar said.

To ensure pool safety, the council's development monitoring team is currently investigating and enforcing pool fencing requirements.

The Swimming Pools Act 1992 requires that all swimming pools have appropriate child restraint barriers that restrict access to the swimming pool.

``There are more than 20,000 pools in the shire,'' Mr Edgar said.

``The council is committed to educating residents about pool safety and undertaking pool inspections to ensure that everyone's pool is safe.''

The council has recently launched a Local Court Prosecution against a resident for failing to comply with a pool notice given pursuant to the Swimming Pools Act 1992.

As a result, the property owner was convicted and fined $700 and ordered to pay the council's legal professional costs of $300 and court costs of $70.

To ensure your pool meets the council's requirements, phone 98430555 or visit the council's website, which is www.baulkhamhills.nsw.gov.au