Fake Lifeguard Found at Happy Valley Luxury Estate Pool
HK01 · 2 SOURCESabout 20 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Food and Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD) has taken enforcement action against a private swimming pool at Winfield Building, a luxury estate in Happy Valley, after discovering a lifeguard on duty was using credentials that did not match records held by the Hong Kong Life Saving Society . The department has reported the case to police and ordered the pool's immediate closure .
Key Points
- The incident occurred at the licensed pool at Winfield Building, located at 1-5 Ventris Road in Happy Valley, where units are valued at approximately HK$50 million each with prices ranging from HK$24,000 to HK$31,000 per square foot .
- FEHD staff submitted lifeguard credentials to the Hong Kong Life Saving Society for verification on Wednesday (August 5) and received results on Thursday confirming discrepancies in one lifeguard's documentation .
- The pool has been ordered to shut down immediately due to insufficient qualified lifeguards on duty, and the licensee may face prosecution under the Swimming Pools Regulation .
- FEHD has also notified the Property Management Services Authority to conduct parallel follow-up on the matter .
- From January to end-July 2024, FEHD conducted approximately 7,000 inspections across over 1,400 licensed private pools and verified around 2,100 lifeguard qualifications through the Hong Kong Life Saving Society .
Why It Matters
This case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in lifeguard credential verification at private residential pools despite strengthened regulatory measures implemented since May 2023, including surprise inspections and tiered penalty mechanisms . The incident raises serious public safety concerns as unqualified lifeguards may endanger swimmers' lives, prompting FEHD to pledge continued collaboration with the Hong Kong Life Saving Society and property management regulators to tighten hiring procedures .
This case highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in lifeguard credential verification at private residential pools despite strengthened regulatory measures implemented since May 2023, including surprise inspections and tiered penalty mechanisms . The incident raises serious public safety concerns as unqualified lifeguards may endanger swimmers' lives, prompting FEHD to pledge continued collaboration with the Hong Kong Life Saving Society and property management regulators to tighten hiring procedures .