Maryland

Montgomery County Reconsiders Hotel Pool Lifeguard Requirement

Montgomery County, Maryland, officials are considering dropping the requirement that hotel pools be watched by lifeguards.

The county has 36 hotels with pools, and current county rules require each be manned by a lifeguard.

This week county officials will discuss allowing hotel pools to get rid of lifeguards, post safety warning signs and allow swimmers to swim at their own risk. An alert system would be installed to summon help if needed.

Lifeguard requirements would remain in place at public pools and major swim clubs.

One Montgomery County Council member said requiring lifeguards at hotels is a costly burden for the hospitality industry, especially if those pools aren’t busy.

The Council meets Tuesday to discuss this.

Baltimore County is the only other county in Maryland requiring hotel pools have lifeguards.

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