MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. — Outdoor pools in Montgomery County open Saturday, May 25, with new rules in place focused on keeping kids safe.
Children under the age of 12 will not be allowed to come to the pool without a parent or adult chaperon.
Carmen Berrios-Martinez is the Division Chief of Administration for Montgomery County Recreation. She says the change was a proactive approach to ensure kids' safety.
"Safety is our first priority here and so we want to make sure that the children who are coming to the pool unaccompanied are able to handle that," said Berrios-Martinez.
When it comes to lifeguards, Montgomery County says they are fully staffed and ready to go despite a national shortage. Typically, year-round, the county employs between 500 and 800 lifeguards for both indoor and outdoor pools.
Last year Montgomery County Recreation introduced a "no cell phone" policy at the kiddie pools where lifeguards are not present. Officials say it's to keep parents alert and focused on their kids
"We’re asking parents to put the phones down and really focus on their children but that really goes for any body of water, whether it’s a kiddie pool, larger pool, or an ocean or lake, you really want to be within arm’s reach of a child at all times," said Berrios Martinez.
During the pre-season, pools are open on weekends from 12 pm - 6 pm. The summer season starts June 15th and pools will be open seven days a week, with varying hours.
Click here for a list of pool locations and hours.
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