Attention To These Precautions In The Pool!

With the warming of the weather, the pool season has opened. Reminding that the measures to be taken in and around the pool will be effective in preventing possible accidents, the experts emphasize the importance of regularly checking the swimming pools, performing their periodic maintenance and taking safety precautions around it. Experts draw attention to the need to have a lifeguard in case the depth of the pool is more than 1,50 meters in order to prevent drowning, and note that the most risky group is children under 5 years old.

Üsküdar University Faculty of Health Sciences, Head of Occupational Health and Safety Department, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan made evaluations about the pool and pool accidents that came to the agenda with the warming of the weather.

Dr. Lecturer Uçan stated that with the warming of the weather, people's demands for use of wet areas increase and said that increasing users and frequency of use cause a threat to human health when regular maintenance and safety measures are not taken into account in wet areas.

Regular control of swimming pools is important

Noting that 'swimming pools' are the most preferred ones, especially in wet area use, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan said, “Swimming pools bring responsibilities such as regular controls, periodic maintenance and taking security measures around them. Swimming pools are generally inspected monthly by the Provincial Health Directorates. The site management is held responsible for the communal swimming pools of the collective living areas, as the primary responsibility is for the operators in ensuring the minimum conditions for the swimming pools. said.

Pay attention to these precautions in the pool!

Drawing attention to the minimum requirements in swimming pools, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan listed them as follows:

In order to prevent drowning, a lifeguard must be present in case the depth of the pool is more than 1,50 meters high.

Children's pools should not be more than 50 cm in height. If there is no suitable area, a safe usage area can be created by arranging a corner of the deep pool as a children's pool.

Rescue equipment such as life buoys should be available to ensure life safety against any risk of suffocation. In addition to the rescue equipment, the first aid kit should be kept ready with all the necessary materials against possible injuries.

A telephone should be available for emergency use by the swimming pool.

According to the 'Water and Diving Safety Advice' published by the Istanbul Fire Department, children under the age of 5 carry the highest risk. For this reason, it is recommended not to allow them to swim without an accompanying person.

A safety barrier should be created around the pool

Emphasizing that the precautions to be taken around the pool are also extremely important, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan said, “Safety barriers/railings of at least 120 cm height should be created around the pools. Thus, the pool should be separated from other common areas in a way that can be noticed.” warned.

Noting that the guardrails or barriers created for security should be such that they do not obstruct the view, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan said, “As a safety barrier, PVC-based materials can be preferred. Because PVC-based materials are generally resistant to incoming impacts and corrosion. It also offers users the opportunity to view appropriately.” said.

Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan listed other precautions to be taken around the pool as follows:

It should be ensured that the door specified as the entrance to the pool has a lockable mechanism outside the usage hours.

It should be checked regularly every day for items that may trip and fall around the pool.

Legible 'Pool Usage Instructions' must be posted around the pool, which can be seen by everyone.

Especially outdoor pools should be covered with safety nets when it is not used or the pool is empty. Falling into pools or injuries should be prevented.

Wet floors can invite serious accidents

Dr. Lecturer Rüştü Uçan emphasized that slips and falls caused by wet floors can cause serious problems and said, “Therefore, information boards should be posted against possible dangers in and around the pool. Depth information plates around the pool should be written on the edge of the pool in a way that users can see, in at least 4 directions, and safety signs stating that diving is prohibited should be used. The floor of the walking area around the swimming pool, the shower area and its surroundings should be made of smooth and non-slip material. The discharge port must be in closed condition. Especially in residential pools, the discharge pipes should be closed with round caps, there should be no cracks or missing screws on the caps.” warned.

Pay attention to the use and storage of pool chemicals!

Dr. Professor Rüştü Uçan stated that the other source that may pose a danger in the use of pools is pool chemicals, and noted that these materials should be used by trained people and that the materials should be stored safely.

Emphasizing that the isolation of the pool material must also be done, Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan said that the compliance of the electrical installation with the legislation should be carried out regularly by authorized companies or the Chamber of Electrical Engineers every year, and it should be followed by the operator or the site management.

Dr. Professor Rüştü Uçan said, “It must be ensured that the electric current in or around the pool meets the condition defined as a non-hazardous voltage below 50 Volts. 12 volt (AC) lighting and cleaning robots should be used in pools. The suitability of the filter caps (not broken, cracked or gapped) in the pool should be checked regularly in order to apply the filter systems used in cleaning the pool in a way that does not create vacuum and to clean the water. he said.

Dr. Faculty Member Rüştü Uçan concluded his words as follows: In addition to all these, health and safety measures must be implemented in the pools, carried out regularly every day, followed by the site management or the operator, and the work done must be recorded.”