The National Water Safety Council has called on all condominiums and clubs to hire lifeguards for their swimming pools. The Council believed that this is the best way to ensure that help is readily available when someone is in danger of drowning.

The call for water safety came about when more deaths occurred in private pools, most of which involving children. The most recent accident was in Palm Gardens condominium where a 10-year old boy was found drown earlier this month.

The recommendation from the Water Safety Council drew mixed reactions.

While the condominium owners welcome the recommendation for life guards in private pools, they are concerned with the additional cost which Management Corporations may incur to hire them. Some are concerned that the job of a life guard in a condominium may be bored resulting in frequent turnover . Others felt that there may not be adequate life guards in Singapore if all condominiums were to hire one for their condominiums. Others felt that parents should exercise greater supervision at the swimming pools and should not left their children unattended.

There are more than 1,300 pools in Singapore and these include public pools and pools in hotels.