Watch your children around the water

Following a spate of accidents in holiday resorts, parents are being warned to inspect resort swimming pools and spas before they let their children go in.

Last week a 5-year-old girl died in the deep end of the Polynesian Pools in Rotorua. In July a French boy aged 7 died after getting sucked into a water pump in a paddling pool at a Club Med holiday centre in Greece and a 9-year-old boy almost drowned after his arm got caught in an uncovered filter in a hotel swimming pool in Gumbet, Turkey. Other holidaymakers managed to free and resuscitate him.

Anne Harvey, research manager of the British Holiday Which? magazine, says that while tour operators and hoteliers have a responsibility for making sure pools conform to safety regulations, parents should also remain vigilant.

"Adults should check depth markings by going into the water themselves. Sometimes the markings are painted on the edge of the pool, but they are not visible from the water," says Harvey.

"They should also make sure children's hair is tied back so it doesn't get caught in water filters. Be aware of the lifeguard arrangements and check out where the rescue equipment is located."

Another thing to watch out for is the distance between the children's pool and main pool. "Sometimes they are very close together. One minute a child can be in two feet (0.6m) of water, the next they could find themselves jumping into water six feet (1.8m) deep," she says.

Parents can also put their minds at rest by checking that suction from outlet pipes is not excessive and that outlets are securely covered with a fine grating.

Essential pool tips

* When lifeguards ask swimmers not to do something, it is for their own safety.

* Children love jumping into the water, so make sure they know how deep it is, and check that no one is swimming below them.

* It's easy to slip on the tiled edge of a swimming pool; take care in bare feet.

* Never let young children out of your sight. They are still your responsibility.

* Find out where the safety equipment is.

* Teach your children to swim properly.

* Consider taking a St John life-saving course.

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