Pool Safety

Now that it is warm, kids are going to be finding their way to the pool and it is always smart to remember pool safety tips. Here is a list of some very important safety tips that can keep you and your neighbors safe.

Always have 4 sided fence around the pool that is hard to climb.  Don't include the house as a fence unless children can't enter the pool from the house at that point. It is recommended that the fence is 5 feet high and have and automatic closing and locking mechanism. Also, make sure that chairs, loungers and other patio furniture are not near the fence to be used by kids to climb over into the pool area.

Install a safety cover from Cover Pools on your Pool.  They are strong, durable, and best of all, SAFE.  The automatic version requires a key to open and close, so if you are not home, no one can get into the pool unless you gave them the key.  They can also hold someone walking one them, so if a child accidentally gets into the pool area and on to the pool, they will not fall in.

1. Place reaching and throwing aids on both sides of the pool for easy access in case of emergency.
2. Teach CPR to all adults who will be watching the children swimming. Knowing CPR can save lives and prevent brain damage. The American Red Cross has an online class that you can take.
3. Make sure there is always an adult supervising the swimmers.
4. Remind the kids not to run around the pool or play rough.
5. Only dive if the pool is deep enough, this usually means a pool with a deep end of 8 feet or greater.
6. Be careful on slides, and make sure they go down feet first.
7. There should always be more than one swimmer, even if they are older teenagers.
8. All non-swimmers should always wear approved floatation devices.  Floaties, inner-tubes, mattresses and donuts are not life-saving devices and should not be used as such.  Children can slip and fall under the water without being noticed. Remember that drowning is called the silent killer for a reason.
9. Have a phone by the pool in case you need to call 911.
10. Have children take swimming lessons.  The Washington Community Center, St. George Recreation Center, and Sand Hollow Aquatic Center all offer affordable lessons by qualified instructors.  Remember that many children who drown know how to swim, so knowing how to swim is not a replacement for good safety habits, such as the ones mentioned above. But, swimming is one of the only activities that can save a life.

For more information check out this link to the Western Australia Health Department's Brochure on swimming safety. Additional information on pool safety can be found on How Stuff Works.

Here is a great overview of safe pool practices.  Please take a few minutes and watch, it could save a life!