Hotel pool safety

Hotel swimming pools can provide a break from a busy vacation, but they can also pose additional dangers.

Most hotel pools do not employ lifeguards, so it’s up to parents and guardians to watch kids while swimming.

While North Dakota regulations on semi-public pools – such as those at hotels – were largely relaxed in 1993, the city of Fargo requires that those facilities post safety devices and rules within view, says Miles Schacher, an environmental health practitioner for the city.

Before swimming, parents should look for:

• Ring buoys and a “shepherd’s hook” that can reach people in the pool from the deck.
• A phone within visibility of the pool.
• Secure and accessible railings, ladders and steps.
• Secured drain covers.
• Clear water. If the pool is cloudy it means there is a chemical imbalance, which could cause skin or eye irritation. City inspectors check pools weekly, but consult hotel staff if the water doesn’t look safe.
• Clearly marked water depths.
• Posted safety rules.

Schacher also warns that children younger than 8 should not go in hot tubs. Children react to the temperature more quickly than adults.

Tags: life, swimming, pools, safety, parenting, moms, health