For immediate release
May 19, 2025
Media contact: Building Official Wayne Sorensen at 507-377-4340 or [email protected]

Before jumping in, take steps for swimming pool safety

With Memorial Day on May 26 kicking off summer, the Albert Lea Inspection Department urges residents to take safety steps when setting up swimming pools in their yards this season. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that drowning, through preventable, is the leading cause of death for children 1 to 4 years old. Even if not fatal, drowning can cause brain damage and other serious, long-term issues.

“Drowning can happen in minutes with children falling in or jumping into pools with no supervision. Unsupervised access to pools is a big risk. That’s why proper fencing, screening and pool placement are so important. Even shallow pools of 18 inches can be a drowning hazard to small children,” said Wayne Sorensen, City of Albert Lea building official.

To keep swimmers safe, the city urges residents to call the Inspection Department at 507-377-4340 before buying an above- or below-ground pool to ensure it will meet zoning requirements.

Also follow city code requirements, including:

• • Fencing or walling to prevent unsupervised access by children.
  • Minimum 5-foot distance from property lines.
  • Screening with a wall, fence or hedge to obscure the pool view from streets and neighbors.

Additional safety tips:

• • Always supervise swimmers! Never leave children unattended, not even for a moment.
  • Use self-closing or self-latching gates on fencing around pools.
  • Enroll children in swimming lessons at the Albert Lea Aquatic Center or Albert Lea Family Y. Young children who can’t swim well are at higher risk, even with flotation devices.
  • Remove pool toys after swimming to prevent children from reaching for them and falling in.

These guidelines also apply to hot tubs.

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The City of Albert Lea’s mission is to deliver exceptional services that enhance the quality of life for current and future generations.