Safety Precautions & Proper Maintenance Help Keep Swimming Activities Injury Free
Jim Soper, Texas Department of Health
Volume 2, Issue 2 (1999)

One of the hottest destinations during the warm weather months is the cool waters of a swimming pool, whether in a public park, at a hotel or motel, at an apartment complex or in a back yard. But along with the fun and sun comes the potential for injuries and death.

Heeding safety precautions and attending to pool or hot tub maintenance can be a lifesaver, according to the Texas Department of Health (TDH).

“It takes constant vigilance and care to operate a safe, sanitary pool," said Jim Soper, chief of TDH's Recreational Sanitation Branch. “Several layers of protection are needed around any pool, including such things as proper fencing and self-closing gates with a latch, pool or door alarms, covers, and most importantly, adults who are watching the children.

In 1997, TDH’s Injury Prevention and Control and the Bureau of Vital Statistics had reports of 344 submersion incidents in natural bodies of water and 207 submersion incidents in pools. These included 282 deaths in natural bodies of water and 64 deaths in pools. Children under age 7 had more than half the submersion injuries (126 or 61%) and a third of the submersion deaths in swimming pools.

TDH sets rules covering minimum standards for public swimming pools and spas, including those in public recreation areas as well as hotels, motels, apartments, condominiums, mobile home parks, clubs, school and property owners associations. Rules were adopted by the Texas Board of Health in May, effective October 1999, that cover everything from design, required equipment, water supply and disinfectants to operation and management, entrapment dangers, enclosures, dressing and sanitary facilities, lifeguards and food and beverage containers.

“These rules are the minimum standards for public pools and spas in the state,” Soper said. “Local jurisdictions may adopt more stringent ones.” (All the rules are available on the TDH Website at www.tdh.state.tx.us/beh/gs.htm)

Soper stressed that all pools and spas need to be inspected by a trained, qualified person and upgraded as necessary to help prevent entrapment C serious situations where swimmers may be caught by the pool’s drain.

“Pools open to the general public will need to provide lifeguards and certified first aid personnel plus have a person who is certified and responsible for operation,” Soper said. “Those not open to the general public such as motels or apartments are advised to have someone certified or with a minimum of six hours of pool operation training. “Soper also noted that pools and spas will need to be checked to see that all electrical circuits are protected by safety devices known as ground fault interrupters to prevent accident electrocutions.

Inspection and maintenance is vital for both public and residential pools. “We recommend that people get with a swimming pool professional to see if their home pool or spa meets current industry standards,” said Charles Branton, director of the TDH Product Safety Division. This program works to ensure that consumer products are manufactured, packaged and labeled to protect the public’s health and safety.

“The most important steps in preventing children from drowning or being injured are to stop unauthorized access to the pool, hot tub or spa,” Branton said, “and to constantly watch children while they are in or near the water.”

Swimming pools C public and private C are enerally safer for recreation than are natural bodies of water, Soper said. AIn particular, no one, especially children, should jump or dive into natural bodies of water without knowing the depth. Children should be taught to check the depth and to look for any rocks, tree limbs or other objects that may cause injuries.

“But no matter the site,” Soper said, “everyone needs to be alert to potential dangers while enjoying the fun.”

Among safety recommendations, whether at a public pool or one at home, are:

• Be sure all children are supervised in any swimming pool, hot tub or spa no matter how shallow the water. In large groups, appoint a designated watcher.
• Be sure the pool is completely fenced and has a self-closing and self-latching gate with latches out of the reach of children. Keep tables and chairs away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
• Check to see that rescue equipment such as a pole, rope, or life preserver is near the pool.
• Teach children to swim but do not consider young children drown-proof just because they have had lessons. Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. And teach children to keep pool water out of their mouths.
• Teach children to steer upward after making a shallow diving entry. And don’t let children jump or dive into the shallow end of the pool. Be sure the water is at least 6 feet deep and preferably deeper when diving from the pool deck.
• Don’t let children play with any pool drain or sit on a drain in a wading pool or hot tub
• Pin up long hair, cover it with a cap and keep it away from drains.
• Drinking alcohol around a pool, hot tub or spa could lead to drowning.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Seconds count in a water emergency

Around family pools:

• Be sure all doors and windows leading to the pool area are closed securely to prevent young children from getting to the pool.
• Never use a pool with the pool cover partially in place where children can be trapped. Remove it completely.
• Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
• Know where the cut-off switch for the pump is so you can turn it off in an emergency.
• Have a professional check your pool, spa or hot tub regularly to make sure it is in good, safe, working condition. Be sure drain covers are in place and not cracked or missing.

“Remember, a child can drown in the time it takes to answer a phone and in as little as 2 inches of water,” Soper said. “Our rules are intended to make public pools as safe and healthy as possible. But nothing can substitute for close supervision and attention at pool side.”