IT’S easy to let your guard down when you’re on holiday, but accidents do happen and not every pool is set up with safety in mind.
As a former Butlin’s lifeguard, there are some real red flags that I look out for when swimming with my kids at holiday park and hotel pools – both in the UK and abroad.
Here are my top tips on what to look out for when you arrive on poolside to keep you and your family out of bother when you’re in the water.
We went to a small leisure pool over the summer that only had one lifeguard on duty.
But that person was expected to oversee safety and keep the changing rooms clean and tidy as part of their job.
Because of the dual role, they couldn’t be on poolside all the time, but it only takes a moment for a swimmer to get into trouble.
Having a lifeguard there some of the time is actually almost as bad as having a completely unmanned pool, as it lulls you into a false sense of security.
If you spot a lifeguard on your arrival and assume a trained professional is looking out for you, it might be too late when you notice they’ve nipped off to stock up the toilet paper in the changing rooms.
One of my sons cut his foot open on a broken tile hidden beneath the waves at a water park here in the UK, and it was obvious from the state of the changing rooms and poolside that maintenance wasn’t top of the agenda.
That makes you wonder what other problems there might be and even whether the chemicals to keep the water clean are being checked and replenished regularly.
It’s always a good idea when you visit a new pool, or one you haven’t swum in for a while, to do a quick recce on arrival and see if there’s any bits that you need to warn your kids to steer clear of.
If you come across underwater hazards, make sure you report it so it can be dealt with before it injures anyone, as it might be a while before the pool staff discover it.
If you turn up on your holiday expecting flumes, rides and added extras, it’s really disappointing to discover that facilities are closed off without warning.
This is particularly likely when you’re visiting in a quieter off-peak season with fewer swimmers as shutting off sections of the pool is a way to reduce the number of lifeguards needed.
Sometimes closing off parts of a water park or pool can lead to other areas feeling overcrowded, as everyone is trying to enjoy the facilities that are still open.
Don’t be afraid to get out and speak to a lifeguard if you feel it’s becoming unsafe.
I’ve been to several water parks abroad where there’s been wave pools packed with people and inflatables and there’s really no way to see if anyone is trapped below the water in that situation.
Keep yourself and your loved ones safe by getting onto dry land if you’re concerned.
Nothing gets my back up more than listening to holidaymakers moaning that their trip is being ruined because they can’t use the pool for safety reasons.
They would be the first to complain if harm came to them or their children because the lifeguards and pool management didn’t act quickly.
If someone’s had an accident and the pool needs to be evacuated, just do your best to follow the instructions given as quickly and quietly as possible.
It might not be what you wanted on your holiday, but there’s probably someone involved who is having a much worse time than you.
It’s also not great when you turn up somewhere and the lifeguards seem more intent on having a laugh and a chat with each other than on watching what’s going on in the water.
All the adults need to be on the same page when it comes to swimming safety as otherwise it sets a bad example to the children.
If something at the pool feels like a red flag, trust your instincts and make sure you thoroughly check it out before you let your kids start splashing about.
No-one wants to be a holiday killjoy, but safe swimming should be at the top of everyone’s agenda, whether at home or abroad.
Meanwhile, this new £250million waterpark is coming to the UK.
And these are the best water parks in the UK you can visit.
