- Some Parents Distracted by Cell Phones in the Outdoor Bathroom
Even in Wiesbaden's swimming pools, there are instances where parents pay more attention to their smartphones than to their children. A spokesperson for the local baths operator, mattiaqua, confirmed this does happen occasionally, but there hasn't been a dramatic increase in such cases.
Hamburg's public baths raised the alarm a few days ago: Lifeguards had to intervene around ten times a week to rescue children who had ventured into deeper water unnoticed by their parents. Often, the parents were distracted by their phones.
In Hamburg, staff now distribute flyers specifically targeting parents. Those who still don't comply "will be asked to leave," a spokesperson for the city's baths announced.
Wiesbaden's water safety team actively approaches parents. "Our water safety team is always vigilant and intervenes when necessary to ensure children are well-supervised and safe," the mattiaqua spokesperson explained. "If our staff notices parents neglecting their supervision duties, they approach them directly and remind them to keep an eye on their children." This usually has the desired effect.
"For now, we're not planning any drastic measures like those in Hamburg," the spokesperson added. Wiesbaden's baths continue to rely on education and direct communication with parents. "If we find that the situation changes and stricter measures are needed, we'll consider taking appropriate steps."
Dangerous: Parents sending non-swimmers into the pool alone
At the Waldschwimmbad Niedernhausen in the Taunus, there haven't been any cases yet where parents were dangerously distracted by their smartphones, according to the management. "But it's becoming more common for parents to send their children into the water alone, even if they can't swim yet."
Despite the concern in Hamburg, parents in Wiesbaden's swimming pools are still occasionally more engrossed in their smartphones than their children. If parents in Wiesbaden neglect their supervision duties, they are approached and reminded by the water safety team to pay attention to their children.
