Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director Gerry P. Little, Liaison to the Ocean County Board of Health, said, “This summer, swimming pools will be filled with millions of people having fun and staying cool. But the most important thing that parents and homeowners can do is to actively supervise children in and around the pool, giving them your undivided attention. Small children can drown in as little as one inch of water; therefore, an adult should always be within an arm’s reach whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water. And remember, swimming aids such as water wings or noodles are fun in the pool but they should never be used in place of an approved personal flotation device.”
Daniel Regenye, Ocean County Health Department (OCHD) Public Health Coordinator, said “If you have a pool, then you MUST have pool rules which also apply to areas around the pool and the pool water itself. Insist that the following rules are followed:
- Keep toys, and bikes and riding toys away from the pool when not in use.
- No electrical appliances near the pool.
- No diving in a pool that is not deep enough or running on the pool deck.
Pool fences are the law in New Jersey. Pool fences should:
- Be climb-resistant.
- Be at least 4 feet high and have footholds or handholds that cannot be climbed upon.
- Chain-link fences are very easy to climb and are NOT RECOMMENDED as pool fences. Gates must be well maintained and self-closing and self-latching. It should open away from the pool. The latches should be at least 54 inches from the bottom of the gate.
- For above ground pools, always keep children away from the steps or ladders and when not in use, lock or remove the ladders.
Regenye continued, “Pool owners need to know that germs can contaminate swimming water even if it is treated with chlorine. We share the water with everyone in the pool. Swallowing even a small amount of pool water that has been contaminated can make you sick.” Regenye added, “The good news is that germs causing recreational water illnesses are killed by chlorine. However, chlorine doesn’t work right away. It takes time to kill germs, and some germs can live in pools for days. That is why even the best maintained pools can spread germs.”
[TLS