Pool safety has been written into law in France since 2002 and has been updated several times since then. The major safety issue addressed by this law is that of access to the pool and in particular access by young children. It was introduced to reduce the number of drownings, many of which involved the under fives. There are various types of pool that the law applies to and some exemptions. From the gite rental point of view, most pools are covered by the law. In any case, you should satisfy yourself that the pool available to you and your family is safe.
The law allows for different methods to be used ¦
Pool alarms – these can either detect movement around the perimeter of the pool or a fall into the pool. The alarms are required to sound within 12 seconds of being triggered and an adult is required to be able to respond within three minutes. Alarms will not prevent a child falling into a pool and they rely on someone hearing and responding to them without delay.
Pool covers and shelters – these have to be to an approved design. Both have to be in place whenever the pool is left unattended. These can prevent access by children but reply on pool users behaving responsibly and replacing them when they leave the pool area.
Barriers – as a parent you may consider that barriers are the only system you are happy with – many parents do. The barrier, usually a fence but the walls of adjacent buildings can be incorporated, have minimum height requirements and must have a gate system that cannot be operated by young children. Many have a simple latching mechanism that is located high on one of the gate posts out of reach of children. Hedges cannot be used as a barrier.
No system is fool proof and parents should take a few minutes to talk to their children about pool safety. If the pool is shared with other gites it is important that older children do not open the gates for younger ones. It is obvious but it has to be said, children should not be allowed to use chairs etc to reach the latching mechanism. This method of entry, if used by a good swimmer may not cause any problems. However, if copied by a non-swimmer the consequences could be disastrous.
Whichever system is in place it cannot replace the adequate supervision of young children by a responsible adult.
