Syringe found in Siwik pool causes concern for parent
SYRINGE WITH CAP ON FOUND IN TOT POOL
A discarded syringe discovered in Stan Siwik Pool forced the closure of the facility for about an hour over the weekend.
Brad Pack, general manager for Recreation Excellence which operates the pools in the city, confirmed on Wednesday a child had discovered the syringe with its cap on in the tot pool.
“When we were made aware of the situation, we closed the pool, got everyone out, and did a thorough search of the pool and facility to make sure there was no danger to the patrons,” he said.
Coaldale resident Miste Moore’s partner was at the pool with Miste’s six-year-old daughter when the discovery was made.
Moore said she received a call from her partner informing her of the closure due to possible needle exposure.
“At this point, I was livid,” she said on Wednesday. She turned to social media to express her frustration regarding the issue, at which point she said she was attacked by a number of people threatening her and accusing her of spreading lies.
She decided to call the pool for confirmation, but initially received some mixed messaging.
“They told me it was just the cap,” Moore said. “But that didn’t add up to me.”
She discussed the issue with her partner and decided to call again. This time, she said, a staff member declined to comment and proceeded to hang up on her.
“My daughter was physically in this pool,” she said. “I wanted to know if I need to take any medical (precautions).”
She said she spoke with pool management on Tuesday and was told a child had been poked by the syringe — although a friend who also called was told staff could not confirm that exposure.
Pack said he was unable to confirm whether it had taken place due to confidentiality concerns.
He said social media reports indicating that information was not being released due to liability was not accurate.
“Our staff couldn’t comment at the time because we wanted to make sure we have all the facts before we make a comment so we’re not putting out misinformation.”
This could be the first time a discarded syringe has been found in any of the city pools since at least 2005. There have been issues with needle debris found around the outside of the facility, similar to what some other businesses in Lethbridge have experienced.
It is unclear whether the syringe was contaminated or not, as Pack said pool staff lack the expertise required to make the distinction.
“We do know it was capped,” he said.
Pool staff inspect the pools in the morning and again in the evening for debris or contaminants. Pack said they are being extra vigilant to reduce the risk of these events happening.
“We suspect it came in during the swim during the day,” he said.
“We don’t get people to empty their pockets when they come to the pool,” he said. “It’s easily brought (into the facility) in someone’s pocket.”
Since there is no way to tell who brought the syringe, there is no way to know why it was brought in — and whether it was intentional or not.
In an email statement, Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for AHS South Zone, reminded people to treat all needle debris as contaminated.
“Anyone can get hurt if they accidentally get poked,” she wrote. “The majority of people will not get sick by picking up or being poked by a used needle, but it is important to be cautious.
“When viruses in needles are exposed to the open air, most will die within minutes, however, some could take hours or longer.
“If you get pricked by a needle flush the area with flowing water, wash the wound well with soap and warm water, and call Health Link at 811 for an assessment of the risk of infection and appropriate treatment.”
Pack said staff had no concern regarding potential contaminants, as the pool is conditioned with chemicals. He noted anyone finding a syringe in a pool facility should alert staff immediately.
“The number one thing is to not touch it and go find a lifeguard or other staff as quickly as possible,” he said. “It’s the same as if you find it in a park or behind a building. Please don’t touch that stuff.”
Moore said she feels better knowing there have been very few incidents, but said she would like to see some training for pool staff on dealing with needles specifically and how to handle calls from anxious parents should something of this nature happen again.
“A parent is going to envision the worst,” she said.
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