Pool Safety in Lanzarote
A week or so ago, we had some friends over from Fuerteventura to visit – who are soon going to be new Lanzarote residents. It was a pleasure to see them… but it was also a reminder that our home was not very child friendly. Now that’s ok, because we don’t have young children of our own. Maybe we’ll change our home once the grandkids start appearing (not too quickly please boys – I’m too young to be a Granny just yet!) but for now our home is built for us.
But anyway, I digress. Our friends had been here only a few minutes when Alan spotted something out of the corner of his eye. The 3 year old had stepped straight onto our pool cover, and promptly gone straight under the water. It was only a matter of a couple of seconds before Alan grabbed him out and put him in his parents’ arms – but things could have been very different. So that’s the reason for this article really… to talk about buying Alan a Supeman cape. No? Oh ok then… you’re right – it’s really to look at pool safety. We’re using this article to talk about children – but it could just as easily be Grandma after a couple of dry sherries, or your pets.
Watch them!
The first priority should always be sensible adult supervision. There is no better way to keep your little ones safe than to keep an eye on them. Don’t ever let them play out in the garden if you have a pool that is not kiddie proof. It only takes seconds for a tragedy to occur… and no ringing phone or great telly programme is worth your child’s life. Of course as any parent knows… you cannot keep watching them every second of every day. So…
Block Their Access
So if you can’t constantly supervise the kids, then the next thing you should look at is access prevention. Whether this is fencing, a brick wall, “walk-on” pool covers or whatever – try to restrict any unsupervised access as far as possible.
Proximity Alert! Proximity Alert!
There are a range of products available such as infra red sensors, that can give you warning in case your intrepid explorer decides to escape the evil eye of Mum and Dad, scale the Mout Everest heights of your pool fencing or walls, and enter the next area in search of discovery and adventure. These alarms will notify you if that little someone is exploring areas they shouldn’t be – just because teddy told them to.
… and they’re in!
Ok – so little Johnny or Jenny has bypassed all your security systems – and have breached the perimeters – what next? Then you will need an entry alarm. These can be something that is fixed to a roof giving an alert if they decide swimming is the next new thing – or something such as a safety turtle, which attaches to your child, and lets you kow if they jump in.
Luckily the other day, Alan spotted what could have been a tragedy and was able to sort it out – making little one’s parents eternally grateful – but I’m afraid you can’t have him… he’s got too much work on and I have too many jobs around the house planned for him, to be able to rent him out for garden parties and birthday bashes. Fortunately though, there are plenty of products available to keep your little ones safe. As some of you know – our pals Angela and Dave have a pool shop in Playa Blanca. Pop in and have a chat to Dave or any of the staff for advice on the most suitable products for your pool – they’re happy to chat and help… and are always friendly! Their warehouse is based in the Zona Industrial on the right as you enter Playa Blanca from Yaiza, or you can visit their website at www.mvplanzarote.com
Keep those kiddies safe guys!
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10 Responses to Pool Safety in Lanzarote
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We welcome families with children.
A child pool safety fence. A Pool barrier can be hired & erected. If you have young children
We now supply a Swimming Pool Fence for our guets.
A Lanzarote Gated pool. Pool Safety fencing is never a substitute for adult supervision. It is merely an aid. Responsible adults must always supervise children and weak swimmers, when there is a pool present.
A Lanzarote pool is to be enjoyed, but always respect the dangers. We have welcomed families with young children to our Villa since 1985, with no major disasters, and we want to keep it that way!
Some of those children are now grown and visit with their own young children. All without the presence of a safety fence !
Visit here http://tinyurl.com/albryna-poolsafety for Photos, of our safety Pool fencing in situ. Tested by baby Joshua !
Great! Its a good product. I just hoped that everyone would be conscious of child safety – unfortunately, this is not so.
Thanks Alzira. Luckily on Lanzarote we are fortunate to have a Safety Turtle Supplier too! They are http://www.mvplanzarote.com as mentioned at the end of the article. However, we do get site visitors from mainland Europe – for which your company may be easier for them to get to.
Kind regards
Elle Draper
Well done Alan! Unfortunately, not everyone has such keen eye-sight or respond so quickly. Let me introduce to you the SAFETY TURTLE – its an alarm kit with a base which is plugged in at the mains and a turtle looking bracelet which is put on the child’s arm. As as soon as it touches the water the alarm gets triggered. Because its small and is packed in a little back-pack you can take it anywhere – great to use in own pool, take it on holiday or take it to friends with pools while visiting. I think its a complement to pool covers, fences, etc. Anyone wanting to know more about it can ring me at:
+351 21 961 6527. We represent Safety Turtle and are based in Lisbon, Portugal.
Let’s keep children safe!
Cool cool. See you soon! xx
I was thinking of a cage but the chains will do till I can find one big enough for them & the dogs.
I think it will probably be Friday that we move.
Will let you know. Things to do here
Hey hey Kerry! Wasn’t sure if you’d spot this before you arrived or not. So tomorrow’s the big day! Give us a yell if you need anything – after all… we’re not far away
)
Much love from us both (and the hairy beasties too) Elle xxxxxxx
PS: I have some chains and strait-jackets left over from Alan’s boys if you want to borrow them? Ha ha ha ha.
Yes, Alan is Superman but you are right, Have a pool, get a fence!
As the mother of the above mentioned three year old (little menace) I can only tell you how horrible it was. I had nightmares for 5 days afterwards.
Thankfully alan saw what happened & pulled him to safety. My sons response was ” it’s ok Mummy, I was just going to have a little swim!”.
There were 4 adults present , all within a few feet of him & it was a very silent event. No splash. So very scary.
We are moving into a house near to Super Al & Elle this week. The first thing we will be doing is getting a pool fence professionaly fitted.
Until it arrives he will be locked in doors!
We have a 16 month old who just started to walk today (god help me!). Boys will be boys but best prevent any future little accidents. My heart just cant take any more scares like that.
It goes without saying but we are so grateful to Alan & Elle .
Dinner & drinks on us, as soon as were settled & unpacked.
Can’t wait to move to Lanzarote & I hope we have no more dramas like that.
Much love, xxx
Thanks John! Funnily enough, there is an article on poisonous garden plants heading this way soon!
Elle xx
Well done SuperAl, and well done for a good article. The other point we realised about the perils of our house for when our two year old grandtwins came was the garden itself. Not only has it got several “attractive to kids” but very poisonous oleanders, but it is full of cacti and – horrors – about 50 agaves with leaves that would have made good swords for the Roman army. So, we put a strong mesh fence up to block off both the area around the pool, and the exit from the terrace into the garden proper.