June 20, 2018
St. Charles County, Missouri – Every day, about 10 people in the United States die from unintentional drownings. Of these, two are children 14 or younger. Children ages 1-4 have the highest drowning rate and most of those occur in home swimming pools. These are startling statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and a reality that hits home every summer.
In unincorporated St. Charles County and all area municipalities, national standards are used to place regulations and requirements on swimming pools of all types for the safety of our residents and guests. For example, did you know that doors with direct access to the pool need to be equipped with an alarm that produces an audible warning when it’s opened? Did you know that pools, hot tubs or spas more than 24 inches deep require a 4-foot-high barrier around the pool area or yard?
“There are times when residents see code enforcements as a hindrance,” says Jared Agee, Division Director for St. Charles County’s Building and Code Enforcement. “Our intent, though, is to make certain our residents are safe. Pools, hot tubs and spas can be hazardous, and following the regulations is a first step in ensuring the safety of family and friends.”
St. Charles County requires a building permit for both above-ground and in-ground pools, as well as for outdoor spas and hot tubs. Regulations for contractors, barriers, fencing, gates, alarms, locks, pumps, electricity and more are outlined in a document available on the County’s website at sccmo.org/PoolTubSpaPermitInfo.
Pool owners can help make swimming pools safe and accident-free this summer. Residents who have questions, or want to report a code violation, can contact the Community Development Department’s Division of Building and Code Enforcement at 636-949-7345.
-end-
Media Contact: Mary Enger, Communications Director, 636-949-1856, or 636-443-1008, menger@sccmo.org