SEVERE WEATHER POOL POLICIES

Everyone out of the pool! That’s the last thing you want to hear on a hot, summer day at the pool. But at the Y, safety is our top priority. That’s why we want to remind you of our indoor and outdoor pool policies when it comes to severe weather.

YMCA of the USA and the National Lightning Safety Institute recommend that both outdoor and indoor pools be cleared during a lightning storm.

We follow the 30-minute rule at all of YMCA of the Triangle pools. All Y pools (indoor and outdoor) close for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder.

“A lot of members want to know why we close our indoor pools during a storm,” says George Allen, vice president of risk at the YMCA of the Triangle. “Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Just because a pool is surrounded by a structure does not make it safe during a storm.”

Here are some facts about lightning:

•        13% of all lightning incidents involved swimming, boating or fishing.
•        Thunder is usually heard up to 12 miles from a lightning strike. In other words, if you can hear thunder, you’re in danger of lightning.
•          Lightning strikes can reach up to 10 miles.

We want everyone to have a fun, safe summer at our YMCA pools!