On Guard promotes backyard pool safety
Article content
The town's Aquatic Department and Building Department have teamed up this summer to promote backyard pool safety.
"Using their market of people coming in to apply for backyard pool permits, and building pools this summer, we're promoting the Lifesaving Society program On Guard," said Jodi Prouse, aquatics coordinator. "It brings awareness to parents, guardians, whoever the adult might be in a pool situation, that when they have this lanyard, they are 'On Guard.' They are the ones who are responsible and watching the water at that time."
Prouse said it creates awareness for typical backyard pool situations. They want to make sure someone is supervising the pools at all times.
"Just because you're there, and everyone's sitting around... maybe not everyone is necessarily watching."
When you apply for your backyard pool permit in Tillsonburg, you are given an On Guard package.
"We encourage people to keep it in their backyard pool area so they can pass the lanyard around," said Prouse. "If someone needs to leave the pool space, they can pass the 'On Guard,' so now you're in charge."
"From the Building Department's side, we find this is a great joint effort," said Geno Vanhaelewyn, Chief Building Official. "Permits are required for pools basically that can hold more than 24 inches of water or more than 22 square feet of area – one of the two. Most pools require some form fencing. For pool permits, that's the main thing we're inspecting."
It's important to note, the rule applies to what the pool is 'capable' of holding. Even if you fill a larger pool with only 22 inches of water, a greater than two-foot pool still requires a permit.
Fencing, he said, is typically perimeter fencing, and making sure gates have a proper self-closing device.
While fencing keeps unauthorized people out of the pool area, they are also promoting a program to keep people safe within.
SAFE GUARD
In addition to On Guard, they are promoting Safe Guard, a four-hour course/workshop, which comes with a certification card.
"It's geared to anyone, even if you're a non-swimmer," said Prouse. "We're teaching how to recognize the signs of drowning – what drowning looks like, making you aware of how to help people in those situations (even without getting wet). It's for people like parents, guardians, grandparents spending the summer with their kids and grandkids – anybody who is going to be in or around a body of water. We're just really encouraging Water Smart and water safety."
The World Health Organization has deemed drowning a world health issue.
"It's No. 1 right now," said Prouse. "And the No. 1 place that people drown is in their backyard pool... unsupervised.
"Drowning is fast. It can happen in seconds... in as little as a couple inches of water. So any amount of water can be unsafe for people who are not educated about Water Smart."
"We think this dovetails well with the permits," said Vanhaelewyn. "A lot of the inground pools and above ground pools – the standard pools – people do get permits. The ones we don't usually see are the smaller blowup inflatables. They are a huge issue for us.
"They're on the radar for us because they're economical to buy," said Vanhaelewyn, who recently saw a three-foot model, "that holds quite a bit of water. But then they don't take into account the cost for the fencing and those types of things. We try to make people aware that those pools do require permits, and fencing is the main aspect."
The fencing bylaw was introduced in Tillsonburg in 2003.
"My rule of thumb is, if you can't dump it at the end of the day – you know, the little turtle pool type that you tip over – then you're probably going to need a permit. And it needs to be fenced properly."
Permit fees are based on value of the pool. For a smaller $100 pool, with $600 in fencing, it might be $45. As the value increases for inground pools (which may cost $40,000), the permit might go up to $400-500.
"It's relative to the overall value of the construction."
It is typically a one-time permit – once the property is registered, they assume fencing is permanent.
"If the fencing falls down, or becomes derelict, we have methods to say 'you need to comply, or maintain your fence.'"
Enforcement is proactive, but also driven by complaints.
"The blowup and smaller pools typically start showing up in mid-June when school's almost out," said Vanhaelewyn. "They're temporary in nature."