Pool safety mostly up to owners, experts say

With five swimming-pool drowning deaths unnerving Long Island this summer, most towns say they are adhering to state safety regulations but contend it is impossible to spot-check all of the region's thousands ...

[Chipster]

This is why, when I was looking for a new house, I avoided houses with pools. I remember growing up with a great inground pool and huge concrete fencing around the property, and neighborhood kids then used to try to climb the fence to sneak into the pool. When I was looking at properties throughout Suffolk, i saw so many potential code violations and possible death traps for kids with inground pools that I just felt it was too unsafe to have the burden of owning one.

[Death Race]

How many more kids will drown? How many people will say “it was just an accident�? How many will back them up thinking the same thing and have it happen to them?

Stop being so stupid and use common sense. Death Race will be here to laugh if you screw up. Keep an eye or your kids at all times if you have a pool and you give a damn.

[Pools]

The codes have changed and most people are not aware of the changes. Public service announcements would help improve this situation.
Sadly, there is nothing better than parental supervision for protecting children. Parents are a childs best chance for survival. The less supervision the lower the chances that a child will survive and thrive.

[liner]

Chipster wrote:

This is why, when I was looking for a new house, I avoided houses with pools. I remember growing up with a great inground pool and huge concrete fencing around the property, and neighborhood kids then used to try to climb the fence to sneak into the pool. When I was looking at properties throughout Suffolk, i saw so many potential code violations and possible death traps for kids with inground pools that I just felt it was too unsafe to have the burden of owning one.

Smart move. I've always said that a pool is not necessarily an asset when trying to sell a house.

[Eric]

The new regulations are nothing but nonsense attempts to combat reckless parenting and milk the residents for more revenue by citing code violations. If you have a young child and you own a pool or live next to someone who owns a pool, you need to keep your eyes on your children. This legislation never should have made it to the State senate floor. The blame game everyone plays each time something tragic happens is nauseating. There's such a lack of personal responsibility nowadays. How does one explain the ratio of drowning deaths in New York, where pools are open 2 months out of the year, to the lower incidence rates in Florida where pools are open 12 months a year? There's no requirements for alarms down there!

[good move]

Chipster wrote:

This is why, when I was looking for a new house, I avoided houses with pools. I remember growing up with a great inground pool and huge concrete fencing around the property, and neighborhood kids then used to try to climb the fence to sneak into the pool. When I was looking at properties throughout Suffolk, i saw so many potential code violations and possible death traps for kids with inground pools that I just felt it was too unsafe to have the burden of owning one.

Very True,
I bought a Home with an above Ground Pool, and tore it down shortly after. Living on an Island with beautiful beaches I couldn't justify having a pool for safety reasons and energy saving reasons.

[Gay Ramone]

Where the hell did newsday find "Expert Pool Owners"?

[tired of it]

Yes, the responsibility of the Pool owners AND Parents being responsible for their non swimming kids.
Yesterday a 14 year old drowns in a pool.. Don't blame the lack of some stupid new Alarm that has to be installed, How does a 14 year old not be able to hang on the side of a pool? Too much video games, not enough child like exercise.

[tired of it]

Chipster wrote:

This is why, when I was looking for a new house, I avoided houses with pools. I remember growing up with a great inground pool and huge concrete fencing around the property, and neighborhood kids then used to try to climb the fence to sneak into the pool. When I was looking at properties throughout Suffolk, i saw so many potential code violations and possible death traps for kids with inground pools that I just felt it was too unsafe to have the burden of owning one.

Code violations.. Bogus! Kids as young as 1 year old need to be taught where they can and can't go. In my perfect world, We wouldn't need Locks on housess or cars, we wouldn't need fences..anywhere. Electrical Boxes can be street side 'If it aint yours, leave it alone.' If you can't follow that basic rule then you get what youy get... Natural selection. Only the strong will survive to strengthen the species.

[Fact or Fiction]

Eric wrote:

The new regulations are nothing but nonsense attempts to combat reckless parenting and milk the residents for more revenue by citing code violations. If you have a young child and you own a pool or live next to someone who owns a pool, you need to keep your eyes on your children. This legislation never should have made it to the State senate floor. The blame game everyone plays each time something tragic happens is nauseating. There's such a lack of personal responsibility nowadays. How does one explain the ratio of drowning deaths in New York, where pools are open 2 months out of the year, to the lower incidence rates in Florida where pools are open 12 months a year? There's no requirements for alarms down there!

Maybe because they watch their kids instead of making up excuses. Parents today have the attitude, "dont worry they wont go near it" or "my child never opens the door". I watched in amaxement as my 2 1/2 year old unlocked and opened the slider, then unlocked the screen as well and went outside. This wasnt a problem because she was never left unsupervised but I still found it incredible. Needless to say we installed a lock out of her reach and we installed door alarms. Pain in the butt and annoying for us but well worth it. We also never assume the other is watching. WE know at all times who is, remember your life takes second place, your childs take first. You can regualte this all you want but without supervision this wont stop.

[Kathy]

There is really no excuse for children drownings!!!!!!!!!!
PARENTS MUST KEEP THEIR EYES ON THEIR CHILDREN AT ALL TIMES AROUND A POOL.

[Justice Prevails]

It is always a sad day to lose a person of any age to drowning. Deeper if they are young.

But it's not fair to say the pool owners are always at fault. Or they should keep an eye out at all times.

I have the tight messed chain link fence around the inground pool with self closing, child proof, gates.

Couple that with a stern talking about going into the pool area without permission, and telling if any of there friends do it, should prevent 99% of the risk.

But that's not going to stop pool hoppers from jumping the fence and taken a dip while your not home.

Unfortunately teenagers are some of the victims this year. Maybe they did the pool hopping thing, or maybe they made the mistake of swimming alone. It is still sad and common sense could have prevented it.

[neighbor]

the town of islip refuses to act on my neighbors violations. A pool two years old and a family with five little children. Never mind they don't have a CO for the house and have lived there for 5 years paying reduced property taxes. There is no fence around the pool and the town refuses to do anything about it. 65 awixa ave. bay shore

[Jeff]

In Dec 2007 The Virginia Graeme Baker Pool & Spa Safety Act was signed into law. This act puts the Consumer Product Safety Commission ( CPSC ) in charge of pool safety laws nationwide. While it is my understanding they are not forcing states follow this law, the states will have to enforce these laws if they want the attached grant money. For more information read my blog:
http://blog.fencemax.com

[Laura]

neighbor wrote:

the town of islip refuses to act on my neighbors violations. A pool two years old and a family with five little children. Never mind they don't have a CO for the house and have lived there for 5 years paying reduced property taxes. There is no fence around the pool and the town refuses to do anything about it. 65 awixa ave. bay shore

Call News 12 - Watch how fast the Town & homeowners act!

[idiots]

Here's a new code that should be enforced: WATCH YOUR DAMN KIDS! Why is it always a child in a neighbors pool? And 99% of the time the neighbor has a fence. Teach your kids to stay the F! off other people's property UNLESS they have permission. And if your kid can't swim - TELL THEM NOT TO GO IN A POOL.

[jju]

sick of people who cannot be responsible for their kids- you live on LI- surrounded by water- teach your kid to swim- or else keep your eye on them- a fence and an alarm is not going to save an unsupervised kid

[Hazmat84]

PARENTS / GUARDIANS - where were they when these drownings happen??? Commen sense dictates that if you have a toddler and/or child near a pool they should be watched. YES.. As a public volunteer emergency worker... children should be guarded against dangers/situation. DO NOT blame the pool companys, manufactureres, etc... TAKE responsibilitie. Whoever is in charge of watching our young people...Do Your JOB!!!!!!

[Graz]

I volunteer for Riverhead Ambulance and that kid that drowned in Riverhead was unfortunate. I lived 3 houses down from where it happen and when we got the tones I was first on seen followed by pd. Me and pd pulled him out and started CPR right away till further helped arrived. It was a very tragic lost. I would of never thought that something like this could happen right next to my house but reality kicks in and it can happen anywhere. My prays go out to the family of this young man R.I.P

[I slip in Islip]

Laura wrote:

<quoted text>
Call News 12 - Watch how fast the Town & homeowners act!

Sounds like a political inside job. Call the DA's political corruption unit. Islip is terrible.