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Dear
Pool Owners and Parents
We see it all the time - media reports about parents that thought they had eyes on the pool and the kids were fine, only to realise that the drowning happened in the seconds they were distracted. Sometimes the drowning happened right in front of them, going unnoticed because TV has told us, incorrectly, that drowning is a noisy event with cries for help and arms waving.
It is not a situation anyone wants to be in yet drownings happen all the time and safety covers on pools are often a reaction after an accident rather than a preventative action. Pool safety is addressed by the SABS and it is in the national building standards, specifically SABS 10134. The recommended guidelines for public access are all there and if everyone complied, there'd be a very different set of statistics.
So where are we falling short? Why are drownings still so frequent in domestic pools? Do we really need a law to make us more responsible adults? Is the pool industry and building sector failing to educate us on water safety? Are learn-to-swim centres not passionate about safety in their community? Are we not listening to public figures and parents who have been brave enough to publish books and open up about their loss, like local actress Florence Masebi? Should more parents be telling their story of loss?
In South Africa, fatal drowning is the fifth leading
cause of unintentional death in children under the age of 5.
In a community, if one person takes steps for the betterment of the community and is vocal about it in the right way and on the right platforms, others will follow and also endorse good behaviours. We would like to appeal to you to first secure your pool in accordance with SABS 10134 and then go to every household in your street and share the safety message and tips in this newsletter. We can even give you educational flyers to place in your street's post boxes. It is through community initiatives like this that we will see drownings reduce in SA. Use this as a platform and play a part in the education. Keep paying it forward, one home at a time, whether it has children in it or not.
Read on for more on this topic including the finer details of what to look for in a quality solid safety cover.
Don't think it can't happen to you. It could. It might.
Carolyn Idas National Sales and Distribution Manager info@powerplastics.co.za |
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Pool safety. Where to start?
There are a number of scenarios in which pool safety has to be considered and addressed correctly. You will probably fit into at least one of these scenarios. Please read this carefully and if you are unclear on the best approach for your circumstances, feel free to chat to us and we will try to assist with practical advice.
In all these conversations, refer back to the recommended safety guidelines in SABS 10134 and ensure access is restricted. - Building a new pool - your pool builder needs to ensure that the pool can be fitted with a solid safety cover. This means no obstructions in the coping, no water features, no fire pits and fancy flower beds built into the pool, no pot plants in the surrounds. Go for good quality decking or coping. Always consult a pool cover professional before you sign off on your new pool design. Sounds drastic but water features cost lives.
- Renting a house - the landlord needs to secure the pool. You or your letting agent need to have that conversation with the landlord. If you are the landlord, don't wait to be asked, just do the right thing and cover your tenant's pool. You could be held liable. If you are the letting agent, be progressive and make this a part of your terms and conditions - all rental homes with pools come with pool safety.
- Buying a house - get the pool covered before you move in. (Moving days are just too chaotic to keep your eyes on small children and pets. Even in the days afterwards, new surroundings can be disorientating and that can lead to accidents.) If you're selling the house, a quality pool cover is a strong selling point and allows you to raise the asking price.
- Living in a housing complex which has a communal pool - the Body Corporate needs to take steps to cover the pool. Never let your child wander off in the communal area. Don't rest until the pool is secured.
- Using public pools - these pools are very difficult to cover. Always ask your local municipality to provide a lifeguard service and be super vigilant about adult supervision in this setting. Don't drop kids off and expect others to look out for them. Stay and supervise. Busy public pools are very high risk.
- Visiting friends with pools - if the pool is not secured, chat to the parents about covering the pool. If they are not taking safety steps, don't let the child visit. Be the example in your community and protect your domestic workers' children too.
It is important to note that thermal pool covers / bubble covers that float on the water surface are NOT child or pet safety covers. They will not bear weight.
Please don't forget the other drowning hazards in your home. Fish ponds, bird baths, fountains, water tanks, rainfall tanks, household buckets, laundry tubs and baths left with water in them, water tanks. Even the dog's water bowl can be a drowning risk.
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The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover (Blue and StoneGrey) |
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Covers versus others
PowerPlastics Pool Covers advocates solid safety covers to prevent drownings. A solid cover completely seals off the entire body of water and is far more effective than other traditional methods like fences and nets. Then there are the environmental benefits too. With a solid cover that seals off the water, you lose no water to evaporation and use less chemicals and power as the water is kept clean. Also a great way to close your pool for winter and reduce your maintenance.
Quality matters
With the success of our PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover (the first of its kind when we launched it), a lot of small companies have attempted to copy the design. Please do not underestimate the importance of quality when it comes to a child safety cover. Cutting corners and poor quality in the PVC, the aluminium poles and the tensioning ratchet devices can lead to cover failure and the pool will not be secured. Don't be lured by cheap pricing. Also critical is professional installation. Always ensure that you have an accredited installer fitting your safety cover. Ask the tough questions.
Design accreditation - the finer points of compliance
The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover has been approved by the SABS in accordance with SABS 10134. Taking it a step further, we have also had this safety cover approved in accordance with American safety standards (ASTM).
The cover specs and safety checklist include: - Can the device bear weights of up to 220 kg? (static load test).
- Are there any gaps or openings that allow unsupervised entry? If yes, can I fit a ball of 9cm x 14cm x 30cm through the gap? (this being the size of a child’s head or torso).
- Opening test – is the cover sufficiently anchored to prevent a child gaining access to the water?
- Does rain or sprinkler water drain off so the cover is dry within 10 minutes, with no pools forming on top of the cover?
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The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover withstands 220kg, keeping kids and pets safe |
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Safety that looks good too
When we first designed the PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover, we wanted it to look fantastic as well as save lives.
This really is a beautiful, sleek cover and over the years we have refined it and added colours to let it blend into the surrounds. Comes in Blue/Black, Black, Racing Green, Brown, StoneGrey and Dark Grey.
For those wanting a little more, we can also print custom graphics on the safety cover. Go big, go wild, but stay safe! |
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The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover (Brown and Racing Green) |
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Drowning prevention - practical steps
No child is ever drown-proof but there are a number of things you can do to lessen the likelihood of an accident in your pool.
- Put a few layers of safety in place. The layers need to be a combination of a) a solid safety cover or a device to restrict all access to the water, b) adult supervision and c) other layers like first aid / CPR skills and teaching swimming skills. The more layers, the less chance of a fatal drowning.
- Start swimming lessons early. Do your homework and find an accredited swimming coach that your child likes and respects. Speak to the coach about water safety education and urge them to start carrying the message forward - whether it's a cover, net or fence, safety measures must become the non negotiable.
- A cover is only effective when it is on. Don't be lazy - recover the minute the children are out of the pool.
- Keep your pool topped up so small arms can reach and hold on to the paving.
- Don't mix dogs and kids in a pool!
- Myth versus fact. Learn about drowning and what happens. It is not as it is portrayed on TV. It is quick, silent and can happen right in front you if you dont know the signs.
- Visit TopStep, the home of pool safety for more tips and information.
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TopStep, the home of pool safety, is a free resource that every parent and pool owner should use. Loaded with tips and info, you can use this educational website to keep your and others' children safe.
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The Western Cape Strategic Framework for Drowning Prevention and Water Safety The taskforce has been developed to support the prioritisation of programs that will help prevent drowning and promote water safety in the Western Cape. The Framework is a strategic endeavor to change key environmental, social and behavioral factors that contribute to the causation of drowning. Learn more here.
Their innovative On Duty Swimming Monitor system allows you to appoint a supervisor when kids are in the pool. This allows the children to identify the adult in charge and quickly get help. Download the tag from our website: click here.
And lastly, the NSRI (The National Sea Rescue Institute) does excellent work in the community around water safety education. Save their number as an emergency contact in the case of a drowning at home or in natural water (rivers, ocean etc). |
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The PowerPlastics Solid Safety Cover's tamperproof fastenings - functional beauty in design |
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