I'm on the Board of Directors for my Homeowner's Association. Sadly, we get alot of complaints about kids being in the pools without supervision. Usually, though, the kids out there are at least teenagers and are probably going to be OK. Not a smart thing for a parent to do, but perhaps the parents don't even know their kids are in the pool since they usually just jump the fence to get in. (Remember that I live in S. Florida where it is still hot and pools are common-place in almost every housing community). But today I get a phone call from a former board member telling me there are 20 kids in the pool with no adult. So, I head out there with a neighbor whose wife is also on the BOD. Sure enough there are about 8-10 teenagers outside the pool area talking. But, in the WATER are about 6-8 YOUNG children, probably ranging in age from 2 years to perhaps 10-12 years old. The teenagers were not paying attention to them. They had jumped the fence, pulled the life ring off the fence and were playing with it in the pool the toddlers did not have "water wings" or any type of life-saving device on. I asked the teens where the responsible adult was. They pointed to one of the homes across the parking lot. I told them to go get them, as I ordered the kids out of the pool. These teenagers were so rude and disrespectful. Ok...not too surprising. But, then the parents come out and say, at first, that they didn't know it would be a problem. How can letting a toddler in a pool without supervision NOT be a problem?? Idiots. Then later they claimed they didn't know the kids were in the pool. Really? Is that why they are wearing their swimsuits??? Idiots again. They showed absolutely NO concern for the fact that the toddlers could have drowned. I was so ticked I even said something to them about how quickly toddlers die in pools. They just looked at me like I was an idiot. So, later I come home to see the same group of kids coming back from the OTHER pool in our community. Can't say for sure if an adult was with them at that point or not as there was a long trail of people and some could have already been in the house.
I know this though - if I see toddlers or young kids out there like that again, I'm calling the police for child neglect. So many kids drown in cases like this that I cannot, in good conscience, just remove them again without involving the police.
IDIOTS like this should NOT have children.
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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Comments: 67
Those parents are so dumb.
how can they not know it was a prob them lie say they didnt know the kids were there.
U did the right thing. And if youcall the police next time then you will be doing the right thing then too.
Among other things, add a higher fence.
(there is a apt. complex here on one side of us with no pool.)
What scares me is the deep water access on the canal espically when I see kids playing by the canals, like there is no drop off into water.
Kids cut through the parking lot, from neighboring complexes as they walk to school.
I just don't know how any Parent could let their Children in any pool without full supervision of at least One Adult.
Thank_you for Sharing.
I agree though, you should call the police. Some people only listen to the voice of authority rather than the voice of a sincere frustrated neighbor. Bet they'd change their tune while speaking to an officer of the law.
The news carries stories every year where children drown even with adult supervision. I'd have nightmares about no supervision.
What you meant was that's just a minor part of YOUR concern.
in the last week in Sydney we have had two toddlers fall
from apartment windows left open by the parents because it was hot
the kids were leaning against the insect screen when it gave way
- it's intended to keep mosquitoes out not toddlers in.
One set of parents are complaining that insect screens
fitted to windows should be a safety barrier.
That is called a security screen - it costs more to buy.
The other is calling for the State government to pass a law
to prevent children falling out of apartment windows.
I write in some anger - is that what you think?
I've kids of my own and responsibility is all
you don't leave them at home while you go to drink
and you lock the windows so that they can't fall!
Here's my advice about Parentless pools:
Pool security fencing and and pass-keys
so at least the kids of these fools
can't jump the fence, and need to ask please !
but there's never enough of it to do any good!
Becareful now, the Gather Elites will ignore the context of this, and claim you are spreading hate or someother BS.
I do fully agree. You gave them a warning this time, next time get their Tails hung!
You are, or maybe you were never a kid. Your position lacked empathy. Look it up. It's an important word. The global police force will soon be coming to a town near you.
Actually, no matter how many rules you make AND enforce children will still drown each year. Statistically it just has to happen, sadly. And in the 21st century far more children drown yearly than did in the 1950s, before pool rules. Frankly, there are probably far more children that drown following all the rules than not.
You definitely did the right thing and I think calling the police and having them involved when you see it happening again is a good idea, too. It's better to be safe than sorry.
HH
The problem is that a lot of parents seem to think that their kids are water wise or good swimmers and won't get into any problems. One of the problems is that children, especially those under 14, often don't have good judgment and sometimes do stupid things in the pool (like diving in shallow water) that could get them seriously injured.
Besides, in our state, you have to be 14 to be in a pool unsupervised by an adult 18 years or old.