It’s something that is so much a part of the Australian way of life, but the grieving mother of two girls who died after drowning in their backyard pool has issued a sad warning to parents.
“My advice to any mother and any family out there is to not own a house with a pool,” Renise Young told the Courier Mail.
“No matter how old the kids are and how well you think you are looking after them – it is so dangerous.”
Taya Young, 4, and her little sister Patricia, 3, were found in their backyard pool at their home in in Logan, Brisbane on Tuesday.
Neither their parents nor paramedics were able to revive the girls.
Ms Young says she has not been able to sleep since the incident, and says she is haunted by the memories.
“We’re tired and exhausted. I’m really not too good because I’m the one that pulled the girls out of the pool – I keep getting flashes – it’s horrific,” the mother added.
The pool was fenced but the mother says she believes the girls used furniture to climb over and gain entry to the pool.
“They brought one of the chairs from their own table and chair set and used that to climb over,” she said.
“Normally we have both the back and the front doors locked, knowing that there is a pool in the back yard. The lock broke a few days ago and this is what has happened in the space of a few days.”
For information on how to ensure your pool remains safe at all times head to royallifesaving.com.au and watch the video below: