Ernsthausen Community Complex

Phone (419)663-6775
100 Republic St. Norwalk, OH 44857


Safety Tips, Rules and Regulations

Rules and Regulations
  Age Requirement Policy
   
  • Children 5 and under must have a parent or guardian (16 or older) in the water with them at all times.
  • Children 6 - 9 years old must have a parent or legal guardian in the pool area.
  • Children 10 - 11 years old may use the pool facilities if there is a guardian within the building.
 
  No Street Shoes on Indoor Pool Deck
   
  • No shoes or sandals (that have been worn outdoors) are permitted on the pool deck.
  • Shoe covers can be used over outdoor shoes or sandals.
 
  Flotation Device Policy
   
  • Only Coast Guard Approved flotation devices are permitted or flotation that is attached to the body in swim suit form. NOTHING INFLATABLE!
  • Anyone wearing a lifejacket must have an adult (16 or older) accompany them and stay within an arms length away.
 
  Swim Attire
   
  • Proper swim attire is required, no cutoffs or shirts are allowed in the pool
  • Please be aware of the condition of worn suits. You may be asked to exit the pool area if they are revealing or inappropriate.

Which flotation devices are safe to use and which ones put my child at risk?
  A Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) is the only flotation device allowed in the facility (also buoyancy attached in swim suit form). An informational box inside the lifejacket (flotation device) displays the seal from the U.S. Coast Guard. There is also a weight limit indicated in the box. It is important to have a proper fitting lifejacket to ensure safety. The jacket should go down to the child's waist. Also, remember a lifejacket should always be worn while boating or while using any water craft.
  Note from the Director .....
    Please remember, that though a PFD can give a child more freedom in the water, we encourage you to minimize the time that they spend in the PFD so they do not build a dependency on it. Learning to swim without the assistance of a flotation device is the ideal situation.
  Inflatable's are Dangerous
    Here at the center, we believe that non-Coast Guard approved flotation devices (noodles, water wings, infant seats, ect.) can create "A False Sense of Security" for children. This can lead to a potential drowning because of the assumption that the child is safe with the device. It can also cause a child or their parent/guardian to take more risks during water activities. This is why we strongly recommend that you only use Coast Guard Approved PFD's if your child requires assistance in the water. Understanding Basic Water Safety rules can make a difference.

Wear Your Sunscreen!
  Some pointers for sunscreen:
   
  • Put sunscreen on 20 minutes prior to exposure, for absorption.
  • Reapply sunscreen every hour when in water or sweating.
  • Apply at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15.
  • Don't forget your hands, feet and ears.

Near Drowning Incidents
  Many of the "Near Drowning" incidents we see here involve a child with a parent/guardian that is supervising too many non-swimming children. Please plan ahead and be sure to bring additional adults (16 and older) that are willing to get in the water and can assist you with watching the children. The children in most of these cases were only 2 - 4 feet away from the parent/guardian when they began to struggle. A near drowning incident can create a fear in children that can sometime be very difficult to overcome.

HELP US to HELP YOU!
  The Lifeguards are responsible for many swimmers during their shifts. Sometimes it is difficult to get a patron's attention if the noise level is high in the pool area. Please understand that we are here to prevent injuries from occurring, not to consistently supervise individual children. If you observe your child involved in unruly behavior, please help the guard and reprimand them for their actions. We thank you ahead of time for your assistance.
 
If you have further questions regarding our Rules and Regulations, please feel free to contact Niki Cross at ext. 30. Take care and NEVER stop enjoying the water!
     
Niki Cross, Aquatics Director

Aquatic Center