Disturbed by the death of a 9-year-old girl at a Cutchogue motel swimming pool this past summer, Legislator Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) recently introduced legislation that would create a safer environment by requiring supervision by lifeguards at all larger pools at hotels and motels throughout Suffolk County.
Under current New York State law, pool operators are required to provide qualified supervision at pools, but motels and hotels are exempted from this requirement. In Suffolk County, the Department of Health Services requires hotels and motels to post rules poolside and hand out brochures at check in. Cooper's resolution would require hotel and motel owners to post lifeguards or other individuals trained in lifesaving at all pools with a surface area over 1,500 square feet.
Drowning in the United States is the fourth leading cause of accidental death, claiming 4,000 lives annually. Approximately one-third of these victims are children under the age of 14, according to the American Institute for Preventative Medicine.
Enforcement of Cooper's law would be carried out by the Suffolk County Department of Health Services. Violations would be punishable by a fine of $250 for the first offense, and $500 for each and every subsequent offense. In addition, any violation would also constitute grounds for the closure of the pool.
Cooper's resolution was applauded by B. Chris Brewster, president of the United States Lifesaving Association. "I congratulate Legislator Cooper on proposing legislation to improve the safety of visitors to hotel and motel pools," Brewster stated. "Properly trained and equipped lifeguards in the pool environment would be able to offer a high level of safety."
"Enactment of this legislation will go a long way towards increasing pool safety for hotel and motel patrons throughout Suffolk County," stated Legislator Cooper. "Any death is tragic, but it is even worse when the loss of life could have been avoided. The bottom line is that this law will protect lives and prevent needless tragedies in the future."
