NewsRelease: 13 June 2003

 

BSPF AT THE FOREFRONT OF CHILD SAFETY

 

As summeris approaching, many of you will be wanting to get out there and swim, whetherit be in your own swimming pool, your local public pool, or a pool at yourchosen holiday destination. Swimmingpools should be fun and enjoyed, but it is very important that safety isuppermost in your thoughts when in or around a swimming pool. To coincide with Child Safety Week (23rdJune), the British Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) offers a number of tips forsafe swimming.

 

The BSPFhas been set up to bring together, in one organisation, the UK bodiesrepresenting contractors, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of swimmingpools, spas, saunas, steam rooms and associated equipment. Allen Brobyn, Managing Director comments,As Child Safety Week is approaching, we thought it was a prime opportunity topromote tips for safe swimming, so that they are fresh in peoples minds,especially during the summer holiday season, when people want to enjoy thepleasures of swimming, whether it be in a pool or the sea.

 

If youhave a swimming pool in your garden, or are visiting a friend with a pool,ensure the following:

 

        Teach everybody to swim.Under the National Curriculum, all children by the age of 11 yearsshould be able to swim 25 metres unaided, ensuring they have some knowledge ofsafety in the water. It is always goodto have competent swimmers at hand who can swim to an emergency if need be.

        Always supervise children in and around the pool, and teachthem to keep away from the pool and to only go in when they are told theycan. It is tempting to allow yourchildren to go in and out of the pool as they choose. However, when water is concerned, supervision is essential, andyou need to be fully alert to continually check swimmers, even older ones, whenthe pool is in use.

        Do not dive into less than 1.5 metres of water, and thenonly plunge dive. It is very easy forchildren to get carried away and dive into places they should not - an accidentwaiting to happen. Do not dive if youcannot clearly see the bottom of the pool.

        Advise teenagers not to indulge in horseplay around thepool, especially when it is busy.

        Ensure that your family and friends know what to do in anemergency. Having a telephone near thepoolside is advisable.

        Check that safety fences, gates and covers are secure whenyou leave the pool area.

 

If yourholiday villa or hotel has a swimming pool, the following tips should behelpful:

 

        For peace of mind, check with your travel agent or holidaycompany about safety of beaches and swimming pools at your resort before youbook.

        Ensure that the hotel or villa swimming pool is suitable forchildren, and that there are qualified lifeguards on duty at all times.

        Untethered airbeds used in the sea are a hazard, as they canbe blown out to sea.

 

The BSPFstresses the importance of avoiding swimming in an uncontrolled environment,such as a river, lake or the beach when the danger flags are flying.

 

So, whenyou are near a swimming pool, remember these tips, but do not forget to havefun - that is what swimming is all about.

 

To requesta copy of the latest Pool & Garden consumer magazine, which givesinformation on swimming pools, spas and hot tub ownership contact the BSPF on01264 356 210.

 

-ENDS-

 

For further press information please contact Kirsty Murray at
TTA Public Relations on 0208 770 9720 or Email: KirstyMurray@tta-pr.co.uk

 

Notes toEditors:

 

TheBritish Swimming Pool Federation (BSPF) has been set up to bringtogether, in one organisation, the UK bodies representing contractors,manufacturers, distributors and retailers of swimming pools, spas, hot tubs,saunas, steam rooms and associated equipment.

 

The BSPFcomprises of:

        The Swimming Pool and Allied TradesAssociation (SPATA), the trading and building standardsarm of the BSPF, which sets and publishes technical standards for constructionand operation of pools, spas, saunas and steam rooms. Experienced pool builders have developed these authoritativestandards over the past 40 years.Technical advice and mediation services are also available

        SPATEX,the annual trade exhibition

        Pool Industry Promotion (PIP), handlingpublicity and public relations for the industry

        British & Irish Spa and Hot TubAssociation (BISHTA), the association for the domesticself-contained spa and hot tub market, ensuring safe spa water for the public

        BSPF publications,Pool Industry, the industrys own trade magazine and Pool and Garden, theindustrys own consumer publication