Hot weather increases pool use

Hot weather increases pool use
Safety especially urged for inflatable pools

When people think of pools that need fences or alarms, they likely don't think of the non-permanent, inflatable blue pools that are dotting the landscape.

In June 2006, New York state passed a law stating that all pools must be equipped with alarms designed to set off a "loud, shrill" noise if anything greater than 15 pounds falls into the pool. "Right now, there are no alarms on the market that can be used in these temporary pools," Jim Butler, Town of Sweden code enforcement officer said.

Butler, who is a member of the Western Alliance Code Coalition (WACC) which is made up of code enforcement officials from the towns of Hilton, Hamlin, Parma, Ogden, Clarkson and Sweden and the Village of Brockport, said the group spoke with a representative from Pool Guard. "He told us that there were no alarms approved for these temporary pools. The alarms on the market - the ones approved by New York state - cannot be attached to the blow up pools."

For the past couple of years, Butler said members of WACC have been trying to educate the public on the safety issues surrounding the inflatable pools. "These pool purchases are driven by the economy. They are less than $300 and can be put up and taken down annually - it's understandable that they are so popular," he said.

Because the pools are marketed nationwide and not all states require alarms or fencing around them, Butler said the pool boxes are marked with wording to the effect of, "contact your local building department or code enforcement officer to make sure the pool conforms with local ordinances." He said, "It's clearly written on the boxes on at least one, if not two sides of the box, but not too many people pay it any heed."

A press release issued by Lifetime Health states that most children who drown in swimming pools were in the care of a parent at the time and out of sight for less than five minutes. In 2005, drowning was the second leading cause of injury-related death for children ages one to 14 years.

Members of WACC have differing procedures but all send letters to those who are in possession of the pools that they are in violation of New York state laws because of the need for an alarm. "We ask the pool owners to please come and see us," Butler said. "I don't know that we (the municipalities) would take people to court over the issue) it's not about driving revenue for the towns, it's about the safety of the children who are using the pools."

Pool safety tips

The American Academy of Pediatrics offers these tips on how to keep children safe around the pool:

•Children age four and under should have an adult within arms' length at all times

•Rescue equipment (hook and life preserver) and a portable phone should be close to the pool

•Take toys out of the pool after use so children do not reach for them

•Do not allow children to use air filled "swimming aids." They can be dangerous and offer a false sense of security

•A four sided fence, separating the pool from the house is the only scientifically proven way to prevent drowning

•Use gates that self close and latch