All public swimming pools in Shanghai will begin checking shampoos, body wash and other liquids before a person is allowed on the premises in an effort to improve security, the Youth Daily reported.

The city's sports authority issued the new policy to avoid possible explosions or other terrorist attacks.

Public swimming pools will open from tomorrow through September 10, the report said.

According to the Shanghai Social Sports Administrative Center, there are more than 450 public swimming pools in the city, about 400 of which have passed the organization's safety examination. The others have applied for a swimming venue permit.

The center has organized security training for staff members. The policy requires that there must be at least one security guard at every swimming pool. The guard will be stationed at the entrance to the pool and check whether swimmers take flammable articles.

Swimmers bringing shampoo or body wash will be asked to open the bottle and allow the security guard to smell it to determine if the liquid is safe, the report said.

(Shanghai Daily June 19, 2008)