Blog
Swimwear Fabrics: Playing it Safe
Dear Residents,
The intent of enforcing a swim attire policy is to maintain a clean, safe and inviting environment for our patrons. Non-swimwear clothing can create problems with water clarity, disinfectant systems and water filtration. The more cotton-like clothing present in a pool, the cloudier the water can become, which makes it an unsafe environment for ALL swimmers using the facility.
Our company respects each resident’s need for modesty and religious compliance, but to be fair to ALL patrons using the pool we must enforce swimwear attire consistently for all patrons. Shirts and/or shorts can be worn over swimsuits as long as they are made of a nylon or lycra material.
The following is NOT acceptable swim attire: T-shirts, bras, sports bras, sport shorts, basketball shorts, jerseys, cut off jeans or other cotton materials, shorts or cover-ups worn over swim wear that is not made of swim suit material, underwear or jock straps worn under swim suits or shorts, thong bikinis or suits that are deemed too revealing for a family environment.
QAPM appreciates your cooperation in making the pools as safe, clean, and fun for everyone as possible. If you have any questions or concerns about appropriate swimwear, please call our office at 713-609-9489.
For more information on proper swim wear, the following websites can be referenced:
www.swimoutlet.com (see Women’s swimwear section)
What should swimmers do when lightning or thunderstorms occur?
It is recommended that both indoor and outdoor pools evacuate. Swimmers should follow their facility’s guidelines for exiting the water before an impending storm. Lifeguards and facility employees should direct the evacuation.
It is recommended that swimming pools be cleared at the first sound of thunder or first sight of lightning and 30 minutes should lapse after the lightning and thunder stop before swimmers get back into the water.
Lightning has been the second greatest cause of storm-related deaths (after floods) in the United States during the past 40 years. Fortunately, however, through public awareness and the applications of safety guidelines, the vast majority of lightning casualties (deaths and injuries) can be easily avoided. The American Meteorological Society has recently approved a Statement on Lightning Safety Awareness (www.ametsoc.org/AMS) which exhorts all citizens, but especially those responsible for the safety of groups engaging in outdoor activities, to further their awareness of lightning’s safety issues. The National Weather Service, in conjunction with cooperating organizations including the Red Cross, has initiated a Lightning Safety Awareness Week.
Summer is the most dangerous season for lightning deaths and injuries. Nearly one hundred people die from lightning strikes each year, and hundreds are injured. If you see lightning or hear thunder, you are a potential target for a lightning strike. Lightning fatalities or injuries occur most often when you are:
Near or in water – indoor and outdoor pools, including showers or plumbing.
Near or under trees and tall objects – diving boards, towers, lifeguard stands, poles, etc.
Near vehicles or buildings, instead of in them – under awnings or unenclosed buildings.
At recreational facilities and open areas – pools, ball fields, golf courses, and parks.
Near the storm, especially before the storm arrives and after the storm has passed.
You can determine the distance between you and the lightning strike by using the flash-to-bang rule: For each five seconds you count between seeing the lightning flash and hearing the thunder, there is one mile between you and that lightning strike. If your evacuation building is nearby and nothing obstructs the view at the pool, a 30-second flash-to-bang time should be your bare minimum for evacuating the pool. Pools that have obstructed views should evacuate anytime thunder is heard. Thunder usually becomes audible within ten miles of the thunderstorm. Pools in high noise areas should use NOAA weather radio, the Weather Channel, lightning sensors, or other means of monitoring the weather and should evacuate the pool when storms are within ten miles (flash-to-bang of 50 seconds). A developing storm may provide no advance warning before the first lightning strike. Reduce the risk of electrocution near pools by following the HANDY Rule:
HANDY Rule
Hand – The five fingers of the hand stand for the five seconds per mile, flash-to-bang rule. There should be a well grounded, enclosed and sturdy building handy for everyone. If not, evacuate the pool sooner. Include the extra time needed to get people out of the pool and to the building in your evacuation plan. Wait thirty minutes from the last time thunder is heard before reopening the pool.
Awareness – Know the weather forecast, stay informed and have a safety plan ready to enact. If thunderstorms are forecast, be alert for storm development and be prepared to carry out your plan.
Notify – Tell people that the pool is closed. Do not allow them to use showers, sinks or stand outside, especially under awnings and trees. The locker room may not be safe. In fact, a wet locker room floor is an ideal conductor of electrical energy. Direct patrons to safe structures or hard topped vehicles. Convertibles are not safe from lightning.
Your own safety – The pool area is too dangerous for everyone. Be in a safe building or vehicle and remain there until thunder is no longer heard. The pool filter room is not safe due to the water and plumbing. Blue sky, sunshine or lack of rain is not a reason to return to the pool area.
All of Quality Aquatics Pool Management’s lifeguards are Red Cross Certified and trained in these policies and procedures. We appreciate all Resident’s cooperation to clear the pool area completely during storms to ensure all pool attendees and lifeguards safety.