SWIMMING POOLS RETAIN HAZARDS

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 99, 23 December 1970, Page 6

SWIMMING POOLS RETAIN HAZARDS

Home pools must not be allowed to contribute to the already excessive number of drownings that occur in New Zealand each year.

Own-your-own swimming pools are much more a feature of private homes than a few years ago and they continue to increase as beaches become more crowded, and parents look for the novelty of a new present for their children at Christmas. While these innovations offer hours of lighthearted pleasure it must not be overlooked that, as with many of our recreations, swimming pools of any kind retain their hazards. A swimming pool at home is still seen in the light of excitement rather than as a potential danger and there should be no reason for your own pool to be regarded as anything but a source of fun. However, this Was once the situation in America and last year in California alone 84 children died as a result of accidents in private swimming pools. By following a few basic principles the chances of tragedy can be eliminated and a home pool will indeed be the safest place for a dip. 9 Education and supervision are the key factors. 9 Children can be taught to swim from around the age of three. f Arrange some form of supervision of youngsters — either an adult or a responsible older child. 9 Teach swimming activities or games but stress to children that they must always be sensible in the water. 9 Where there is a ladder or other equipment such as filtering devices, check that there is no chance of a child being 'caught' in any part and dis-

courage play in the immediate area. / § If your pool is chlorinated, very young children should be medically checked for any side effects of chlorine, etc. 9 For deeper pools a grabhandle at the side is essential. q A diving board, which can be a liability in large Municipal Baths, is too great a risk to contemplate having in a home pool. q Learn mouth-to-mouth resuscitation — an emergency could arise at any time. Of the two types of swimming pool that have developed the above ground pool is probably the safer. The main drawback to the conventional sunken pool is that it is permanent, and therefore a yearround danger to very young children who could suffer from falling into the water, or into an empty pool. This problem does not arise with the above ground type which in addition, is usually smaller and shallower than others, and is simpler to maintain. Below the ground pools should be fenced or well covered when not in use. Whatever the pool, hygiene is important. If the water is not changed regularly it should be chlorinated and well circulated. Chlorine prevents the formation of harmful organisms and algal growths that become hazardous through being very slippery. Test kits are available from swimming pool manufacturers and these are useful in determining water condition. Minimum maintenance includes sweeping of the bottom and

sides between changes of water. The greatest overall requisite of pool safety is the good sense of pool users. Since this is an unlikely achievement the need to supervise cannot be emphasised enough. If you think people know how to behave themselves in the water have a few words with the supervisor of any swimming pool, and it may be a shock to learn that this • is far from the truth. A swimming pool should become an enjoyable asset in a home but without observing these necessary precautions the well being of those who use the pool is insecure. As a final consideration, in only 2 inches of water a life can be lost in approximately 20 seconds. The possibilities in 3 feet of water are boundless.