This according to statistics from rescue services which indicate that there were more calls from water-related emergencies and drownings in inland swimming pools than from accidents or drownings at sea.
According to spokesperson for Joburg’s Emergency Services, Nana Radebe, the statistics were one of the driving factors in formulating the stringent bylaws for residential swimming pools.
The new proposed safety bylaws for residential pools are aimed at addressing the increasing statistics of children being injured or drowning in residential pools.
Clive Humphrey, managing director of ADT Central Region, agrees that swimming pools should be better safeguarded, and applauds the new proposed rule that no child under the age of seven be permitted to be alone in a swimming pool.
“We have always urged residents to take pool safety seriously and to be extra vigilant in ensuring that swimming pools are off limits to small children,” he said.
“One should never leave children unsupervised in the pool area, and remember, when having guests over do not assume that their children can swim. Rather keep the pool area off limits if in doubt.”
Rosebank Killarney Gazette reader and mother, Marina Papangelis Hanekom felt this was an excellent initiative by the city and that it should have been implemented a long time ago.
Another resident, Marjie Versteeg-Mojanaga said safety should be put before aesthetics, referring to some residents’ concerns that a net or fence around the pool would be unattractive.
However, local resident Lizelle Grobbelaar van Zyl felt that these bylaws would be more appropriate if they were implemented in residential complexes and hotels but not privately-owned homes with kids who can swim.
Residents are invited to attend a public meeting with an Emergency Services representatives at Metro Centre in Braamfontein on 1 March.
Radebe encouraged homeowners to attend, as amendments made to the preliminary bylaw proposal were due to contributions made by residents.
“Now homeowners have the choice to either erect a pool fence or a pool net or cover, instead of having both,” she explained.
“These public consultations are important, not only for the public but also for us to note and acknowledge concerns.”
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