Help keep your child safe at Selwyn Aquatic Centre

Last modified: 27 Apr 2021 2:25pm

Help to keep children under 8 years old extra safe while swimming will be available at Selwyn Aquatic Centre.

The Council will introduce wrist bands that can be worn by young swimmers to help lifeguards keep a closer eye on them.

The wrist bands were recommended by Worksafe for all pools nationally as an additional support, in response to the death of a seven year old who drowned at a pool complex in the North Island last year.

Active Selwyn Manager James Richmond says the bands help ensure lifeguards can easily identify swimmers that need the most caregiver supervision to ensure safety.

“Our parents, caregivers and lifeguards do a really good job in looking after young pool users, but it only takes a few seconds for something to go wrong. The wristbands let our lifeguards know to keep an extra eye out and helps make the children who require the most supervision in the water more easily identifiable. It gives parents some reassurance as well that we’re supporting them.”

The wrist bands, green for under 5s and orange for 5–7 year olds, will be available from the customer service area and poolside stands from 3 May 2021.