New rules for municipal swimming pools

SWIMMING pools across the City of Ballarat have rolled out new guidelines for the supervision of children.

The rules relate to the ratio of supervising adults to kids in the pool.

For children under five there now needs to be one adult for every two kids. If the children are under 10 the ratio is one to four.

Ballarat Aquatic and Lifestyle Centre has said that if those numbers cannot be met, kids will not be able to enter the pool.

As part of the rules children under five will be required to wear a yellow arm band when in BALC or City of Ballarat pools. The bands will be provided free when entry to is paid. Kids under five will only be allowed in the pool with someone over 16 years of age.

The new rules apply to BALC pools and the City of Ballarat pools at Eureka, Brown Hill, Black Hill and Buninyong.

Leanne White, BALC Aquatic Education Team Leader, said parents and guardians need to be on the ball around water.

“It’s important to remember that a person can drown in just 20 seconds in as little as 30cm of water. Taking your eyes off your child for just a moment can lead to devastating consequences,” she said.