Abu Dhabi launches swimming pool safety drive

Abu Dhabi - Authorities also reminded parents to set up fences around swimming pools to protect children from drowning.

In the wake of summer moths, the Abu Dhabi Municipality has launched an awareness drive to protect children from pool-related accidents.
The awareness campaign, under the slogan "Our children's safety is our top priority", includes field visits to residential villas with swimming pools and public swimming pools to ensure that they comply with safety and health requirements.
The municipality's department of health activities control at the Public Health Department said they have launched the campaign as the summer season sees increasing number of water activities among the public.
"Such an awareness drive is to safeguard the life and health of children and other people using swimming pools," said Dr Saeed Qarwash Al Rumaithi, director of the Public Health Department at the municipality.
The Abu Dhabi Police had earlier this week urged families to follow home swimming pool safety precautions, stressing that most drowning incidents involving children stem from negligence. Kids must always be supervised at swimming areas, they reiterated.
Authorities also reminded parents to set up fences around swimming pools to protect children from drowning.
The warning came after Emirati twin boys drowned in the swimming pool of their neighbour in Khozam area of Ras Al Khaimah on Thursday. The drowning was attributed to negligence as the pool wasn't fenced and the family failed to monitor the kids' movement at home.
According to Al Rumaithi, swimming pools - whether in homes, hotels or other recreation areas - should be properly maintained and must meet all the safety requirements for the users, including children.
"Swimming pools at homes and other places should be safe and clean all the time.
The swimming area should be fenced to prevent children from entering without adult supervision," said Al Rumaithi.
"Doors leading to swimming pools must be locked all the time, and all safety precautions should be taken."
He added: "Children should not be allowed at swimming pools without supervision of adult persons who should be having swimming skills."
Al Rumaithi said that the water in the swimming pools should be clean and the floor near the pool should not be slippery.
Landlords of residential buildings have also been told to increase the level of supervision in their swimming pool areas.
Public pools should be manned by lifeguards who must be trained in CPR and need approved lifesaving techniques. Resuscitation equipment and a first-aid kit must be available at the pools.
According to the latest regulations issued by the Department of Urban Planning in Abu Dhabi, anyone who operates a swimming pool without obtaining a licence is fined Dh20,000. The pool owner and the operator are also fined Dh2,000 if inspection and/or maintenance records are missing.
Authorities can also close facilities that are not clean enough or lack proper maintenance or those caught in other violations.
ismail@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Abu Dhabi