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Everyone must work together to keep kids (and fur babies) safe in and around the water. With swimming pool season just around the corner, it’s a great time to brush up on swimming pool safety tips with your family to ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone.
The Pool Environment
Pools with layers of protection are more difficult for children to get in to. A high fence with a lock can be supported by a pool alarm and a safety cover. The more layers of protection a pool has, the less likely it is that a child will gain access without your awareness.
Clean up and store pool toys when the pool is not in use. Pool tools left on the pool deck may entice a child to try to gain pool access.
Keep riding and wheeled toys away from the pool area.
Have a phone nearby at all times for emergency calls.
Maintain appropriate water chemistry to ensure visibility to the bottom of the pool.
Preventive Measures
Teach children basic water safety tips: no running on the pool deck, always swim with a buddy, and no diving off the side of the pool.
Teach children emergency procedures like how to call 911, and what information they may be asked if they did have to make such a call.
Make sure someone in the family learns how to perform CPR from a Red Cross certified instructor.
Provide age-appropriate swimming lessons for children (generally all children over 4 years old).
Lock away and store your pool chemicals out of the heat and direct sunlight.
Pool Rules
Always identify a responsible adult to actively supervise children when they are in or near the water.
Go over the pool rules and safety instructions with all guests that use the pool.
Know how to dive properly, and make sure that people only dive in designated areas (a properly installed diving board in the deep end of the pool).
Never run on the pool deck or roughhouse.
Always swim with a buddy.
Pets
Don’t assume your pets know how to swim. Swimming isn’t natural for some animals, and they may benefit from a home swimming lesson or two.
Make sure they know where and how to exit the pool safely. They may need to be taught to use stairs or a ramp.
Don’t allow them to drink the pool water, which has been treated to be safe for swimming.
For more information on swimming pool safety, please visit these organization’s websites:
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Poolsafely.gov: Take the Pool Safely Pledge!