Water safety

Press, 18 November 1981, Page 30

Water safety

Safety must be the first priority around the swimming pool. It is the pool owner’s responsibility to ensure that adequate, health and safety standards are maintained. There must be safe play areas for children, and supervision at all times. Fences, strategic lighting and pool covers all enter into pool safety. "The marked increase in the number of private swimming pools throughout the country has created new opportunities for people of all ages to learn to swim,” the executive director of the New Zealand Water Safety Council (Mr Michael Frohlich) said recently. “The very positive benefits of this trend are indisputable — babies are learning water confidence and children are learning to swim,” he said. However, drowning statistics show that an unprotected private swimming pool is a prime site for an accident, particularly for a young child. The council recommends that pool owners erect strong, child-proof fencing. Basic pool rules, such as never swimming alone, and supervision of young children should be enforced, Mr Frohlich said. "They are vital to water safety, to pool safety,” he said. “Water safety should begin at home, and what better place than the properly-pro-tected and equipped backyard swimming pool where swimming and survival skills can be taught, and rescue and resuscitation routines can be practised,” Mr Frohlich said.

The following check list should be observed at every swimming pool. • Teach your children to swim. Even children under five are generally receptive and can at least be taught to find the side of the pool and clamber out. • Fence your pool whether it is below or above ground. e Make sure that existing fences are increased in size to I.Bm and cannot be climbed easily. 9 When not in use, pool areas should be locked and the key kept by the owner. • Non-swimmers should not be allowed to enter the pool unless accompanied by a proficient swimmer. • Teach your family mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. • Do not use, a diving board unless the pool depth is a minimum of 2.25 m. 9 Walkways around the pool must have a non-slip surface. • Discourage running around the pool. 9 Do not swim alone, even if you are a good swimmer. ® Do not swim for at least half an hour after eating. 9Do not swim after drinking alcohol. • Use unbreakable utensils at pool-side barbecues. • Provide a safety rail or steps to assist entering or leaving the pool. 9 Keep electrical appliances well away from pool surrounds. Even a small electrical current can produce an electric field in the water of sufficient intensity to cause loss of muscular control. :