With summer underway – making homeowners forget about this past terrible winter – backyard swimming pools will be getting a lot of use over these next few weeks. That’s why it’s so important that neighbors take the time now to review the important swimming pool safety requirements that are not only town law, but good common sense.
Supervisor Kate Murray and I sponsored and passed legislation that made the installation of pool alarms the law. Pool owners must remain vigilant and mindful of this ordinance. It only takes seconds for a child to slip beneath the water.
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Under the pool alarm law, all residential swimming pools located in unincorporated areas of the town (incorporated villages may adopt their own pool safety regulations) must have an alarm capable of detecting a child entering the water. A poolside alarm needs to emit an 85-decibel alert and a remote device must be located at a second site in the home.
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To further protect our young people from a tragic accident, the Town of Hempstead requires that a five-foot high minimum non-climbable fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate, equipped with a lock, must be installed around the pool. This helps keeps those of all ages visiting or on your property safe and secure.
If your house forms one side of the barrier for the pool, doors leading from the house to the pool must be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when the door is opened. A power safety cover – a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area – can be used as an alternative to the door alarms.
Here are more pool safety tips – some of these are again commonsense, but can use the repeated to prevent tragedy:
• Never leave a child alone, out of your eyesight in or near the pool, spa or hot tub.
• If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count!
• Steps and ladders to an above-ground pool should be secured and locked or removed from the pool when they are not in use.
• Do not place objects like chairs or tables near the pool, spa or hot tub, fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.
• Keep toys away from the pool, spa or hot tub. Remove all toys from the pool after use, so children are not tempted to reach for them later.
• If you use a pool, spa or hot tub cover, always completely remove the cover before using your pool, spa or hot tub to avoid the possibility of anyone being trapped under the cover.
• Never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover. Be sure a newer, safer drain cover is in place. The newer drain covers are usually dome-shaped, unlike the old flat drain covers.
• Keep rescue equipment by the pool. Keep a phone with emergency numbers near the pool.
• After children are done swimming, secure the pool, so they cannot get back in.
• A rope or float line should be placed across the pool, alerting swimmers to the separation of the deep end from the shallow end of the pool.
Have fun this summer. By following these tips, you’ll help keep your pool safe...and legal.
Anthony J. Santino is the Hempstead Senior Town Councilman representing Councilmanic District 4. Town of Hempstead Councilmatic 4 includes the communities of Barnum Island, Bay Park, East Rockaway, Harbor Isle, Hewlett, Hewlett Bay Park, Hewlett Harbor, Hewlett Neck, Island Park, Lynbrook, Oceanside, Rockville Centre, South Hempstead, Woodsburgh, and portions of Cedarhurst, Malverne, North Lynbrook, Woodmere, and Valley Stream. Those in need of his assistance or service may contact him directly at (516) 812-3200 or via e-mail at asantino@tohmail.org .
