But Cranebrook businessman and pool safety campaigner Michael Morris said governments do not seem to realise this.

``The NSW Child Death Review Team reports show that in the past two years, 10 children aged 0-4 died as passengers in motor vehicles,'' Mr Morris said.

``In the same period, the reports show that 20 children aged 0-4 died in backyard swimming pools.''

From March 1, new laws in NSW required car seats to be fitted with stronger restraints for children.

Mr Morris said he supported such laws, but accused the state government of inconsistency.

He said Premier Kristina Keneally had staked her premiership on protecting the most vulnerable, but was reluctant to upgrade pool safety requirements and police them.

He said pools should have child-proof fencing on all sides.

``But regulations don't require fencing for pools built before 1990,'' Mr Morris said.

``From July this year, [new] pools must have fencing on all sides.

``But there will be three different sets of requirements and more confusion.''

Mr Morris founded the Samuel Morris Foundation in 2006, after his son Samuel nearly drowned in a backyard pool. Samuel was severely disabled by the accident and has

been hospitalised 33 times since.

The foundation provides aid for victims of near drownings and campaigns for greater pool safety.

Mr Morris said all pools should not only be properly fenced, but there should also be more pool inspectors with greater powers.

Local Government Minister Barbara Perry said councils were already empowered to conduct pool inspections.

``A package of new pool safety laws require councils to follow up every complaint they receive in relation to possible safety breaches,'' Ms Perry said.

``Pool owners who do not comply face fines of up to $5500. We will be monitoring the effectiveness of these laws.''

A spokesman for Penrith Council said no pool registry existed, but that the council inspected pools when

investigating complaints or when they were under construction.

'`Our focus is on education,'' he said.

Last December Penrith Council resolved to ``raise the awareness of pool owners in their responsibilities for maintaining barriers around their pools''.

The council also decided to prepare a report on a pool safety awareness program in Penrith.

``It is proposed that learn-to-swim classes and CPR training will be promoted in this program,'' the spokesman said.

Penrith Council is also holding a free check on child restraints in cars on March 27 at Penrith Council

Carpark.

Details: 4732 7735.