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Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in children ages 1 to 4 in Ohio; it is the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in children ages 5 to 9 and 10 to 14. Survivors of severe drowning incidents can experience long-term disabilities including memory problems, learning deficiencies, and loss of basic cognitive functioning. Historically, Ohio has not systematically collected detailed information on public swimming pool-related injuries or deaths.

Recognizing the usefulness of this information for preventing drowning incidents, the Ohio Department of Health has initiated the Public Swimming Pool and Spa Drowning Prevention Program to determine the frequency and circumstances of these occurrences and to identify opportunities to prevent serious injuries in the future.

Any incident associated with a public swimming pool or spa facility that results in death, serious injury, or assistance from emergency medical personnel shall be reported to the licensor within seventy-two hours following the incident. “Serious injury” is defined as an injury that does not require immediate hospital admission but does require medical treatment, other than first aid. Voluntary reporting of other injuries is highly encouraged.

Injuries are able to be reported online using the “Ohio Public Swimming Pool and Spa Injury Incident Report Form”.

A number of pool chemical incidents have occurred recently this summer. Contributing factors might include the a shortage of stabilized chlorine (which means operators are using different chlorine products that they are not used to), short staffed public aquatic venues, inexperienced aquatics staff, and new residential pool owners.

Public swimming pool vs. private residential pool?

A public swimming pool is defined as any indoor or outdoor structure, chamber, or tank containing a body of water that is intended to be used collectively for swimming, diving, or bathing.

A private residential pool is one located at a dwelling housing no more than three families and used exclusively by the residents and their non-paying guests.

General information: 614-644-7438 

Construction inspection requests: 614-644-7468