Swimming Pool Safety in Cyprus

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Swimming Pool Safety in Cyprus

Pool safety for the prevention of drowning is becoming a global concern. By way of illustration, there are 600 to 800 pool-related drowning deaths, each year, in America alone. France has implemented some of the toughest domestic pool safety regulations in Europe, with non-compliance with French pool laws resulting not only in a punitive fine of up to €45,000, but with the added risk of being sued if an accident at your home involves someone else's child. Australia, New Zealand and many American states have also enacted strict laws relating to access to domestic pools by young children.

Cyprus, of course, is a relatively small country, and the emergence of a significant pool owning community a fairly recent phenomenon. Though there are pool safety regulations in Cyprus, these relate largely to water, hygiene and equipment in public and communal pools. There are few, if any, regulations relating to domestic pool access by young children. 

Pool safety is all about building up what are known as "layers of protection". The more layers you put in place, the less opportunity for an accident. 

Safety steps to take:

• Never allow young children to be left alone in and around the pool. Not even for one moment. Never turn your back, and always maintain eye contact. lf you must leave the pool area - even for one minute - take the child with you.
• All doors and windows leading to, or backing onto, the pool should be locked and secured at all times, even in mid-summer.
• lf a child goes missing in and around the home, look in the pool area first.
• Pools should be fenced from the rest of the house. However, in order to be 100% safe and effective, the fence needs to be a compliant safety fence - one which meets or exceeds recognised safety criteria - rather than an improvised fence, installed by someone with little or no knowledge of pool safety requirements.
• The gate to the pool fence should be self-closing and self-latching, opening outwards away from the pool. The gate latch should be placed at the top of the gate and be inaccessible from the outside by small children. 1.5m (4' 11") is the recommended minimum height for the latch.
• The area adjacent to the outside of the fence must be free of objects which may aid children in climbing over the fence. These include items such as chairs, tables, ladders, tree branches, etc.
• lf obstructions or lack of space preclude a fence, then a safety net, safety cover, electric cover or automatic cover can prove effective barriers to entry. With hundreds of thousands installed worldwide over the past 30 years, these safety barriers have an impeccable safety record. Pool Alarms can also provide a useful, additional layer of protection, though they can never prevent a child from falling in the pool.
• Never keep toys around, or in, a pool when not in use. Kids are attracted to toys and might try to get them.
• lf you delegate your child-minding to others, ensure that babysitters and guardians are aware of the dangers posed by the pool. Instruct them about potential hazards in and around the pool. Ensure that you, your babysitters, and your children learn and practice CPR.
• Mount flotation devices designed for lifesaving (such as a lifebuoy) near the pool. Or better still, keep a safety hook to reach a submerged child in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure that you, your children and your child minders know the emergency numbers in Cyprus. Post the numbers (199 or 112) at the pool and also at the nearest telephone.
• It's easy to overlook pool safety when you have social gatherings. So, assign an adult Water Watcher to supervise the pool/spa area at such times. Arrange a rota, so the task does not become tedious.

Prepared by Lloyd Owens, Managing Director, Pool & Patio Ltd
40, Michail Sawa Ave, Stasis Court, Shop 1, 8028 Paphos, Cyprus. 
Tel: +357 (26) 222752 Mob: +357 99 385218 e-mail Web: www.poolandpatio.com.cy
Copyright © 2006 Pool and Patio Ltd All Rights Reserved.