Published on Wednesday, 16 February 2022 at 8:00:00 AM
Community members are reminded to vigilant around swimming pools and water, especially when storms and lightning are a regular occurrence.
Shire of Ashburton residents are reminded to be mindful of using swimming pools during adverse weather as they can pose a hazardous threat when lightning is in close proximity.
The best defence for those persons who are outdoors at the first signs of audible thunder, visual lightning, or from an alert from detection technology, is to immediately seek safe shelter indoors, or other known safe refuge.
All Shire of Ashburton swimming pools and aquatic centres are monitored using Skyscan Lightning Detectors. This means if lightning is detected approximately 5-15km away, an alarm will sound, a visual alert beacon will illuminate, and all swimming pool patrons will be asked to evacuate the water and seek immediate shelter.
An all-clear alert will only be issued once 30 minutes has elapsed since the last detected lightning strike. When this occurs, normal swimming pool activities can resume.
We would also like to remind swimming pool patrons to watch children around water.
All Shire swimming pools and aquatic centres are Royal Life Saving Society WA ‘Watch Around Water’ endorsed centres.
Children under 5 years must be accompanied into the centre by a responsible adult and always supervised within arm’s reach and children under 10 years must be accompanied into the centre by a responsible adult and always supervised within line of sight.
Finally, bather hygiene is essential to prevent excess chloramine formation. This includes making sure infants who are not toilet-trained wear tightfitting, waterproof swimming pants or swimming nappies and ensuring nappies are changed regularly, away from the pool area. Nappies should be disposed of in a bin and then hands thoroughly washed.
Please stay tuned to the Shire of Ashburton Facebook and website for updates.
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