Is Your Swimming Pool Safe Year-round?

Marianna- Local water safety officials are warning homeowners about pool safety after two Florida toddlers lost their lives this week in separate drowning incidents.

Posted: 5:29 PM Nov 29, 2011
Reporter: Bryan Anderson
Email Address: Bryan.Anderson@wjhg.com

Marianna- Chipola College Aquatics Director Rance Massengill said his heart goes out to the two separate families in Florida who lost toddlers to pool drownings Monday.

"We hate to hear it and we're thinking about those families," said Massengill.

According to authorities, both children fell into their families' pools, without anyone noticing.

"Drowing of children four and under is a very serious thing in the United States," said Massengill.

Massengill, who's been a water safety expert for years, said there are ways to stop these types of tragedies.

"The entire perimeter of the pool should be fenced off if you're trying to keep people out," said Massengill.

He also said pool covers can be effective but they must be weighed down. If someone does fall in the water, you must act fast.

"In a child that cannot swim, they'll be unconscious in less than one minute," said Massengill.

Massengill recommended throwing the victim a flotation device, only jumping in yourself if you have the proper training. Regardless, Massengill told News Channel 7 it should never come to that point.

"Having proper supervision at all times is the key to it," said Massengill.

Safety experts said kids can drown in as little as a few inches of water.

Source: http://www.wjhg.com/home/headlines/Is_Your_Swimming_Pool_Safe_Year-round_134712988.html

Safety barrier regulations explained in time for summer pool safety

by Infolink

Backyard pool safety continues to be a prevalent issue this summer with many pool owners still unaware of safety barrier regulations, and drowning still one of the most common causes of preventable death for children under 5 years of age in Australia.

Essentially, any excavation or structure with the capacity to hold a body of water greater than 300mm, used principally for swimming, wading or paddling, requires a safety barrier. This may include in-ground swimming pools, indoor pools, above-ground pools, jacuzzis, spas, inflatable pools and hot tubs, and excludes fish ponds, bird baths and dams (any structure that is not capable of containing a depth of water greater than 300mm).

The Swimming Pools Act 1992, Swimming Pools Regulation 2008, the Australian Standards 1926.1, Australian Standards 2610.1, and Australian Standards 2610.2 all express that requirements for child-resistant barriers vary according to the location of the pool and when it was built.

Local councils are responsible for enforcing the following regulations and can issue on the spot fines for certain failures to comply:

• If constructed before August 1, 1990, access to the swimming pool from the house must be restricted at all times. Any doors or windows which form part of the pool yard must be kept closed and locked at all times
• Pools built after August 1, 1990 and before July 1, 2010 must be surrounded by a fence which separates the pool from the house. Exemptions apply depending on the size of the property
• With the introduction of the Building Code of Australia 2010, all pools built after July 1, 2010 must be surrounded by a fence which separates the pool from the house. No exemptions apply

Once a safety barrier has been implemented (building permits are required for installations and alterations) or an existing fence has been properly inspected, they also require regular maintenance.

Not even a fully compliant barrier system can be considered childproof and proper adult supervision is the key to ensuring the safety of children around a swimming pool or spa area. However, enforcing a consistent inspection system can go along way to preventing injury or death:

• Maintain safety components of gates, doors and windows, including self-closers, latches, flyscreens, catches, and bolts
• Ensure there are no chairs, boxes, pool pumps, tree branches, pot plants, or other objects near the fence that could be used to climb over
• All fences (especially timber paling fences) should be in good repair and non-climbable
• Ensure all gates and doors that provide access to the swimming pool or spa are closed at all times, except when entering or leaving the area
• Neighbours’ properties adjoining a swimming pool should be inspected for potential hazards or climbable objects (where applicable)

28.11.2011

http://www.infolink.com.au/c/Infolink/Safety-barrier-regulations-explained-in-time-for-summer-pool-safety-n911358

New safety measures at Harpenden Swimming Pool

St Albans City and District Council has installed an underwater camera safety system at Harpenden Swimming Pool as part of ongoing measures to help improve pool safety.

The operation and safety of all Council-owned pools is regularly looked at and it has been decided that to improve systems a PoolView Drowning Prevention System will be installed. This devise is designed to help reduce the risk of injury and drowning.

This technology is in use in many public swimming pools around the country and is gradually becoming a standard pool safety measure. The system uses an underwater camera to relay images to a monitor attached to the lifeguards' chair. It helps the lifeguards to provide an even better service while on poolside and will give swimmers additional peace of mind.

The lifeguards' monitor displays eight underwater views allowing them to observe the full water volume within the pool as part of their normal lifeguarding procedures. As is standard practice, images are protected and managed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act.

Councillor Mike Wakely, Portfolio Holder for Sport, Leisure and Heritage at St Albans City and District Council, said: "As a council, we take the safety and security of our customers very seriously and this new system will help improve safety at Harpenden Swimming Pool by enabling the lifeguards to monitor activity within the pool effectively."

Scott Machen, Contract Manager, at Leisure Connection, the company which manages Harpenden Swimming Pool on behalf of the Council, said: "This new system will give the lifeguards extra visibility on what is happening in the pool and will help them protect customers from any risk of injury or drowning."

A similar pool system will also be installed at the new Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre which is due to be completed in late 2012.

Photo courtesy of Meesho's flickr stream

Source: http://www.harpendenpeople.co.uk/New-safety-measures-Harpenden-Swimming-Pool/story-13910949-detail/story.html

Swimming Pool Safety Tips!

Water and Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Parents whose children have drowned say the day of the tragedy started out just like any other day. No matter how the drowning happened, one thing was the same for all these parents: The three tragic seconds that claimed their child's life slid by silently, without warning, and can never be brought back.

Here are steps you can take for guarding children in and around water:

---

Protection:

• Use layers of barrier protection between children and water to warn and impede:


• A non-climbable four-foot fence that separates the pool/spa from the residence. Opening should be no more than four inches wide so children cannot squeeze through the spaces.


• Self-closing and self-latching fence gates, side gates and doors leading to the pool/spa area, with latches above a child's reach (54 inches high). Gates should open outward.


• Alarms on doors and windows leading to the water, installed about five feet above ground level so that a child cannot reach them.

---

In addition to these protective devices, routinely follow these practices:

• Maintain all safety devices to ensure they are in good working order.


• Secure and lock all doors, windows and gates leading to the pool/spa area when not in use.


• Drain standing water from pool/spa covers. Remove covers completely before using the pool/spa and replace them immediately after use.


• Never leave toys in or around the pool/spa and place items which can be used for climbing (tables, chairs, planters) away from fences.

For hundreds of other tips, please visit the source by clicking here. http://www.babyguardfence.com/water_safety.php

Agent had no pool safety training, inquest told

Norrie Ross

From:Herald Sun

November 19, 2011 12:00AM

PROPERTY managers receive no formal training in pool safety, an inquest on a toddler heard yesterday.

Laura Teal said she knew nothing about pool fences when the girl's mother raised concerns about safety during an inspection of a property the family rented from AFL coach Mark Harvey.

At the June 2008 inspection, Monica Harris said she was worried her three-year-old daughter Lauren might squeeze through a gap in the pool fence where it joined a barbecue.

Ms Teal said she didn't think the fence was dangerous or that it was an "issue" because she knew the Harveys had lived there with their young children.

Ms Teal said she completed a number of courses at the Real Estate Institute of Victoria, but pool safety was never mentioned.

"There was nothing in my training that informed me as to the specific requirements, standards, guidelines with regard to pool fences," she said.

"I'm not trained in pool fencing. The REIV should be putting something in their education."

Lauren Harris drowned at the house in Roberts St, Essendon, that her parents rented from the Harveys in September 2008.

Ms Harris raised the issue of the pool fence around the barbecue and her concerns about toddler access, Ms Teal said.

"She asked me to gain the landlord's permission to put up lattice at her own expense," she said.

The inquest has heard that the bluestone barbecue provided "climbing steps for small children" to a gap in the pool fence.

Ms Teal said Donna Harvey told her in an email: "Tell them they can put something up near the pool at their own expense."

The inquest before deputy state coroner Iain West is expected to continue in March next year.

REIV chief executive officer Enzo Raimondo said outside court that licensed real estate agents had a responsibility to be aware of laws relating to letting and selling property.

"The REIV licence course includes content relating to pool fences and there is assessment on that issue to ensure students understand the requirements. Ms Teal did not complete her licence course with the REIV."

Harvey denies ignoring pool safety warning

Daniel Fogarty

November 18, 2011

FORMER Fremantle AFL coach Mark Harvey says anyone who would suggest he ignored a safety order about his backyard pool, in which a little girl drowned, obviously doesn't know him or his family.

Three-year-old Lauren Harris drowned in the pool at a Melbourne home her parents rented from the Harvey family in September 2008.

Mr Harvey offered his condolences to the Harris family as he gave evidence at an inquest into her death on Thursday.

Mr Harvey said he never received a safety order detailing necessary rectifications.

It has been alleged Mr Harvey was sent a letter with an attached safety order and was also messaged and telephoned after an inspection of the pool area in 2004.

Lawyer Rena Sofroniou, appearing for a senior building inspector, suggested to Mr Harvey that it was unlikely that all methods of communication to him about the order failed.

Earlier, Mr Harvey was asked by a lawyer for the Harris family, Richard Stanley, if he believed while he lived at the home that the barbecue area posed a risk to safety.

Mr Harvey replied: ''Not at the time.''

The inquest continues.

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/harvey-denies-ignoring-pool-safety-warning-20111117-1nl2u.html#ixzz1dyY8n1Ok

Infant Swimming Resource Recommends Water Safety Precautions During the Holiday Season

Holiday festivities can lead to a breakdown in regular parental supervision routines

ORLANDO, Fla., Nov 16, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Infant Swimming Resource (ISR, www.infantswim.com ), the safest provider of survival swimming lessons for babies and toddlers from six months to six years old, suggests these winter water safety reminders to help families protect their young children in and around the water while traveling or entertaining guests this holiday season.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1 to 4.

"Holiday travel and distractions can lead to a breakdown of normal supervision routines. As a drowning prevention resource for your family, ISR recommends a multi-layered approach to water safety all year long," said Harvey Barnett, Ph.D., founder of Infant Swimming Resource. "It is important for parents to understand that, even if children have had swimming lessons, no child is drown-proof and it is important that water safety remains top priority at home or while traveling."

Holiday Safety Reminders:

1. Initiate Active Supervision

The most critical line of defense against drowning is adult supervision. No level of aquatic skill can replace active supervision. If your child is ever missing, look in the water first.

2. Educate Family & Friends

When traveling to relatives' and friends' homes, they may not be aware of the importance of keeping gates closed, doors locked, closing toilet seats, emptying buckets, etc.

3. Investigate Your Surroundings

Familiarize yourself with potential hazards in a new environment, i.e., landscaped ponds and water features, doggy doors, etc. Watch one mother's story who lost her precious two-year-old son and has turned a terrible tragedy into a way to help others http://www.isrcrossfit.com/sterling/ .

4. Test Pool Fences

Examine the pool area and its surroundings, double-check that there is a permanent 4-sided fence with a self-locking gate. Ensure that the pool fence is at least 3-5 feet from the pool edge, and at least 4 feet high.

5. Watch for Decoration Hazards

Inspect lights, electrical cords and decorations around water. Ensure that no outside decorations provide a means for a child to climb over a fence or open a locked gate.

6. Maintain Pools & Hot Tubs

Keep pools well maintained with clear water even if it is too cold to swim. If your child falls in, he or she can be seen and helped faster. Pool covers need to be drained of accumulated rain water and free of debris.

7. Add an Extra Layer of Protection - Survival Swimming Lessons

A moment's inattention does not have to cost a child his life. ISR's Self-Rescue(TM) swimming lessons are an added layer of protection that teach children how to save themselves should they reach the water alone. ISR offers the safest and most comprehensive survival swimming program in the world, please visit www.infantswim.com to find the Instructor closest to you.

8. Learn to Perform CPR

If an emergency happens, it is essential that parents and families are prepared. Learn to perform CPR on children and adults and remember to update those skills regularly.

For more information about water safety for your home visit: http://www.infantswim.com/water-safety/

And be sure to follow our daily Splash Zone Blog, Twitter feed and Like us on Facebook for frequently posted water safety tips and news:

Splash Zone Blog - http://www.infantswim.com/blog/ Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/InfantSwimmingResource Twitter - http://twitter.com/infantswim

About Infant Swimming Resource

Founded in 1966, Infant Swimming Resource (ISR), with its Self-Rescue(TM) program, is nationally recognized as the safest provider of survival swimming lessons for infants and young children. With a primary focus on safety and effectiveness, and as the world's leading behavioral science based instruction program, ISR is the only choice for parents who are dedicated to their child's safety, education and developmental demands. ISR's worldwide network of highly qualified, certified Instructors has successfully delivered over 7 million safe lessons to infants and young children, which have resulted in nearly 800 documented cases of children utilizing ISR's survival techniques to save their own lives. For more information on ISR, water and swimming safety, or to find an Instructor in your area, please visit www.infantswim.com .

SOURCE: Infant Swimming Resource

                 Infant Swimming Resource          Melody Callaway, 720-939-0476          m.callaway@infantswim.com            

Copyright Business Wire 2011

Arizona child-safety task force will hold its 1st meeting

by Mary K. Reinhart - Nov. 15, 2011 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic

The Arizona Child Safety Task Force, a new group charged with recommending improvements to the state's child-welfare system, holds its first meeting Wednesday.

The task force meets at 9 a.m. in the second-floor conference room of the State Capitol's Executive Tower, 1700 W. Washington St., Phoenix.

The agenda includes an overview of state Child Protective Services and previous reform efforts, as well as a presentation on best practices in the investigation, removal and placement of children who are victims of abuse or neglect.

The meeting also will include an opportunity for public comment.

Task-force members received background materials that include reports on child fatalities, CPS statistics and procedures for joint investigations between CPS and law enforcement.

Gov. Jan Brewer named the 19 task-force members earlier this month and asked for its recommendations by Dec. 31. The committee's chairman is Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery.

A second meeting is scheduled Nov. 29.

Read more: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/11/14/20111114arizona-child-safety-task-force-1st-meeting.html#ixzz1dmwVeF4b

Check Your Pool Fence Now!

Ashleigh Williamson

Swimming pools are a constant source of summer fun which can instantly become dangerous.

Statistics show 300 children under five have drowned and died in pools in the past nine years, including 28 in the past 12 months.

Michael and JoAnn Morris were one set of parents who saved their son Samuel from drowning in 2006.

However, Samuel was left with severe brain injuries and lifelong disabilities.

‘‘My son was a bright, happy, cuddly little boy until he had a near-drowning experience in our home pool (aged two),’’ Mr Morris said.

‘‘He shook a faulty panel which came away and gave him access.’’

PoolWerx and Royal Life Saving Society of Australia are partners in the Keep Watch program, which promotes swimming safety.

Mr Morris said checking fencing around home pools was vital.

‘‘We assumed when we moved in that the fence complied with Australian standards,’’ he said.

‘‘We found out after Samuel’s accident that wasn’t the case and (the pool fence) had never been inspected .’’

Royal Life Saving Society chief executive Rob Bradley estimated 85 per cent of home pools did not meet safety standards or were not fenced.

‘‘There are way too many people saying I’ll get around to checking the fence sometime,’’ he said.

‘‘Check it now.

‘‘It’s extremely frustrating to have home pool owners sometimes question the need for a pool fence.

‘‘All pools have to be fenced in Australia.’’

PoolWerx chief executive John O’Brien said the company wanted to help achieve the Australian target of halving the number of child drownings by 2020.

‘‘We are working every day with people to ensure Australian home pools are safe, healthy swimming environments,’’ he said.

‘‘If we can help save the life of just one child by completing a complimentary poolside health check, we’re making a substantial difference.’’

The Keep Watch Program is promoting four messages:

-Ask people to supervise children when they are in or near water;

-Restrict children’s water access;

-Teach children about water safety; and

-Ensure adults know how to resuscitate someone in need.

Regulators warn of magnets marketed as desk toys, stress relievers

By Ellen Gabler, Chicago Tribune reporter

November 11, 2011

Federal regulators are warning parents that high-powered magnets marketed as desk toys and stress relievers for adults can pose a deadly hazard to kids.

Children have swallowed the tiny magnets, which are so powerful they can cut through a child's intestines like a gunshot.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Thursday it has received 17 reports of incidents in which magnets were swallowed since 2009. Of those cases, 11 required that the magnets be surgically removed.

"We want parents to be aware of the danger associated with these innocent-looking magnets," Inez Tenenbaum, the safety agency's chairwoman, said in a statement.

The Tribune reported in 2007 on the dangers of small magnets in toys and games that can come loose and be swallowed, prompting new awareness and new standards.

A suburban Seattle toddler named Kenny Sweet died, and dozens of other children suffered life-threatening intestinal injuries, after swallowing aspirin-size magnets that came loose from Magnetix building sets.

The next year a revised toy standard was put in place that prohibits toys for children under age 14 from containing magnets and magnet components that are loose and small enough to be swallowed.

But similar magnets are still used in gadgets and products marketed to adults and sometimes left within reach of toddlers. In some cases, toddlers have grabbed and swallowed loose magnets left on a table, other furniture or a floor.

The safety agency said some older children and teenagers have swallowed magnets after placing two or more on opposite sides of their earlobes, tongue and nose to mimic body piercings.

Reports of incidents involving high-powered ball-bearing magnets — the kind used by adults — have grown in the last two years, according to the CPSC. After one reported incident in 2009, there were 21 over the next two years involving children.

Even though magnets in toys for young children are now banned, products are still in consumers' homes. Since 2008, the CPSC has received more than 200 reports of children swallowing magnets in general. At least 18 of those children needed emergency surgery to remove the magnets.

The safety agency is advising parents to keep magnets away from young children and to seek medical attention immediately if a magnet is swallowed.

egabler@tribune.com

Twitter: @egabler

Understanding Proper Swimming Pool Maintenance

WRITTEN BY ASHLEE REICHEL
WEDNESDAY, 09 NOVEMBER 2011 14:42

Swimming pools hаvе beсоmе common features оf mоst large homes. Indoor and outdoor pools аrе great fоr exercise, leisure аnd therapy.

If yоu аre the proud owner оf a swimming pool іn yоur terrace оr backyard, then yоu shоuld pay proper attention tо itѕ maintenance. Pool safety аnd maintenance go hand in hand. Just aѕ you install a high fence arоund уour outdoor pool tо prevent kids from entering thе pool area under unsupervised conditions, іt іs important tо ensure that the pool water is hygienic аnd safe tо use. A combination оf filtration аnd chemical treatment programs will dо thе trick. Here аre ѕоmе tips оn good swimming pool maintenance.

Maintain thе chlorine content оf уour pool tо optimum levels tо ensure adequate protection аgаinst bacteria. You cаn buy sticks or tablets оf chlorine and mix thеm gradually into thе pool wіth chlorine feeder or juѕt lеt them float in the water. Avoid mixing the chlorine tоо fast аѕ іt will leave lumps оf unmixed chlorine іn уour pool which саn corrode thе inlet and outlet pipes. You should аlѕo check the calcium content оf thе water. Its level should ideally be betweеn 175 and 225 ppm. An improper balance cаn cauѕe corrosion аnd cloudiness in water.

Swimming pools аre breeding grounds for algae. Use an algae inhibitor to prevent mоrе than 15,000 varieties of algae frоm raiding уоur pool. An inhibitor is a liquid which you can pour іn the water with thе pump system distributing іt evenly іn thе pool. Copper-based algaecides arе ideal for уоur swimming pool. They maintain the color оf the water аnd kееp іt sparkling by arresting the growth оf green algae.

Check the pH level оf the pool water regularly. The level should bе bеtweеn 7.2 and 7.6. A low pH level іndіcatеs high acidic water levels while а low pH level suggests alkalinity. Water wіth high acid content iѕ extremely corrosive and increased alkalinity makes thе water incapable of sanitization.

Dry skin cells, body oil, sweat, cosmetics and urine сan pollute yоur pool water. You can shock yоur pool аt regular intervals tо gеt rid оf all theѕе impurities. Shocking is the process of oxidizing thе water, whiсh removes thе ‘bather waste’ frоm уоur pool, keeping it clean and sanitized.

For ideal maintenance оf water іn yоur pool, replace thе pump еverу 7 оr 8 years. The nеw models are great for moving large volumes оf water аnd consume leѕs energy. If your pump makes excessive noise, it іs an indication оf improper machine functioning. Modern pumps аrе easy to maintain but thе rubber оr composition pump seals can саusе malfunctions and result in short circuits. You ѕhоuld maintain optimum pressure levels іn уour pool by checking thе pressure gauge on а frequent basis.

There аre а few safety norms thаt уоu shоuld follow whilе sanitising уour pool. Keep hazardous chemicals out оf thе reach оf children. If you аre uѕing granular chlorine, dissolve іt іn а bucket of water befоrе adding it tо the pool. Adding water to chlorine саn cаuse explosion. It iѕ alwаys better tо add chlorine gradually to thе water. It iѕ advisable tо uѕе sodium bisulfate or granular pH decreasing agents as opposed tо Muratic acid for swimming pools at homes аѕ the lattеr creates dangerous fumes and іѕ highly corrosive.