Swimming pool safety

I had an interesting experience with my BIL and his twin girls both toddlers one summer's day at MIL's house where there was a small pond about 8 ft by 3 ft by 2-3 ft deep.

MIL had decided to serve a picnic style lunch in the garden so we all sat down to eat, me, my DH, BIL, SIL, MIL and 2 toddlers. After a few minutes the girls were up and running towards the pond and I was the first adult up on my feet in quick pursuit. I grabbed them before they reached the concrete flagstones which edged the pool. I sat them down to eat lunch again and returned to my seat. Yes within a couple of minutes I ran after them again and grabbed them before they reached the pond. As I returned to my seat my BIL said "Don't worry about the pond, the girls have to learn about water sometime." I just replied "Well that's fine if you want to spend the afternoon at A and E at the hospital."

PS my SIL phoned after we had left. She was washing up and MIL and BIL were talking standing at the edge of the pond. The girls were running round the garden and ran up beside their father, stopped, and the eldest one stepped straight into the water. Did she scream!!

I have just given up with my BIL and SIL.....it makes life easier.

Signed it. I hope it gets the support it deserves. But there remains the risk of paddling pools. When my sister was a rookie GP, she was desperately upset by a case of a child who drowned in a few inches of water. She was feeling bad too because she had just bought an inflatable pool for her adored nephew - my DS1. I don't know if there are warnings on these things, and if there are, I do hope the owners take note and never leave toddlers alone in them.

Just signed it - good luck with it Mishap

Here is the petition site if you wish to sign - please pass on to others to join in.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/24856

There has been a great deal of comment on my ex-pat forum about this matter and the consensus is that secure , locked fencing or a really solid locked cover offer the best protection. Of course, many people have still not followed the law, just as people still use their mobile phones when driving.

Yes, I would support the petition.

We stayed at a house in France this year that did not have a fence, it was alarmed and they thought this was adequate. It was a waking nightmare for DH and I as we felt unable to relax for a second. The alarm was very sensitive too and kept going off causing major panic especially during the night.

Hear, hear!
MY wee GS is often looked after at his other grandparents' and their pool was unfenced - it used to worry me sick - thankfully they have now fenced it.
We cannot be complacent about this. I will look up how to set up an e-petition and perhaps others might be willing to support this.