IMPORTANCE OF POOL COVERS

Press, 14 November 1977, Page 12

IMPORTANCE OF POOL COVERS

The New Zealand Water Safety Council has notice that there is an increasing amount of confusion over the various types of swimming pool covers.

It is also concerned that, in spite of constant warnings, many swimming pools remain totally unprotected causing drownings, especially of small children, to continue. Fences are the most permanent and reliable form of protection for swimming pools. There is no doubt that the most effective means of protecting children from drowning is to fence off the pool area. The Water Safety Council also is aware that there are many pools which would be impossible to fence, either because of their situation or because they are an integral part of the landscape. For pools such as these, anchored covers are the most suitable, because they act as a deterrent aga'inst children entering the water. There are several of these available on the New Zealand market.

Anchored covers serve their purpose well if the cover is always replaced and secured firmly when the pool is unattendedThese covers also retain water temperature and keep it free from dust and debris. Confusion has arisen over another type of cover which is definitely not a

safety measure, by any standard.

These are the floating bubble type of covers which are designed specifically to retain water temperature and keep the pool free from leaves, twigs and other debris which may fall into the water.

It must be emphasised that these do nothing to improve the safety element and should be used only if a pool is already properly protected. There is nd doubt, however, that these covers do serve a useful purpose in New Zealand where climate restricts the use of outdoor pools. Not only does cold water deter people from taking to the water but it is a major hindrance to our learn-to-swim programme. The Water Safety Council feels that schools could most definitely benefit from their use in that school swimming classes could be extended more realistically. They also have the added advantage of being able to reduce the fuel costs of running a pool by keeping the water tem-. perature higher.

While most covers retain heat and ensure water is kept clear, they should be used only where adequate safety measures have already been adopted. The floating covers, particularly, should be used only where there are already adequate safety measures.