Incident at Summerbrooke

Thanks for the info, Carol. This is a dumb, and a bit off topic question, but are our pools "public" by legal definition? I'm wondering if they're exempt from this regulation?

And Pats Fan, I feel MUCH better knowing that 911 can be called from payphones. Didn't know that before.

 

When I looked at the data for Loudoun County pool regulations, it sounded to me like community/neighborhood pools fall under the classification of "public."

But rereading, this thread does bring a good issue in regards on views on unattended minors at the pools.

 

So I guess Summerbrooke is not in compliance then, if it is considered public. A phone, therefore, is needed.

Please go on... what did it say?

 

Please go on... what did it say?[/QUOTE]

sorry but my words were misunderstood...that was my own contemplative comment (rules/regulations of unattended minors) rather than what was in the public pool ordinance data!

 

gotcha. my mistake.

 

This question is a good one. What is the age restriction for leaving children by themselves?

And sorry that your son had a bad experience, but why is it the pool's responsibility to provide free phone service?

 

The county requires that you be able to call 911 from that pool. A pay phone does not require any money to dial 911 and thus fulfills that requirement so yes a phone is required but it does not say it needs to be a residential line. That said even though the life gaurds do allow people to call home at the other 2 pools those phone lines are suppose to be available only for emergency purposes not for kids to call home to get a ride. I am sorry your son was left at the pool with out any way to reach you. But my suggestion is for you and him to figure out a way for him to contact you in the furture either having money on him to make a call or making sure that before you drop him off that the life gaurds know he is there by himself (assuming he is at least 10years old) and if something happens he needs a way to contact you.

Swimfamily if you would like to discuss this further I would be very happy to talk to you about it you can email me at ssdkapinos@yahoo.com or my number is in the front of the newsletter under board members

Staci

 

For the record my son is 11 and is very capable of being on his own. It kind of bugs me that everyone is expected to have a cell phone these days. Now I realize that my son needs to bring spare change with him to the pool. That brat better not spend it on ice cream!

 

Wow. I'm surprised that the lifeguards didn't just let the kid use the phone if it was available, unless these kinds of closures are common. Having worked at a private pool as kid, there were always those extreme cases were it was just easier to let someone use the phone than to pull the whole "you need change dude" attitude, which would be appropriate under normal circumstances.

If it becomes a common occurance, then you deal with it through the HOA.

 

I lived in a small town and walked or rode my bike everywhere....which was nice

 

So the HOA fees pay for the pool but not the phone at the pool? Riiigghhhht. I think the pool should be accomaditing to kids. If a kid needs help, give it to him. Who do you think is gonna get sued after a kid is refused a phone call home and disappears? HINT: Not the parents.

 

Or parents could just be accountable for their own children.

 

If there is not a phone at the pool then no one is swimming safely. Anyone that goes to the pool can drown, have a heart attack, heat exhaustion - how are the lifeguards suppose to call 911 if there is no phone? Saving a little money on having no phone could end up costing the HOA millions if something happens and the HOA is sued.

 

There is a payphone there and 911 can be called free of charge.

 

Not sure if you have been there and watched the life guards, but every one of them has a cell phone and use them continuously when they are not "on duty". It may not be their responsibility to use their phone to call 911, but they all have them and use them.

 

I think the installation of a land line at Summerbrooke would be beneficial. The lifeguards do not just need to make calls in case of an emergency--they have to call the pool company if there are any problems or scheduling questions. Also, calls must be made to other pools if there is defecation, vomit, or thunder is heard. I don't really think it's fair to assume that the lifeguards should use their own cell phone minutes for business calls such as these. Also, it looks unprofessional to the pool patrons when lifeguards are on their cell phones, and many patrons probably don't know that the pool does not have a land line so the guards must use their own phones for things pertaining to the pool.