Swimming and summertime go together like peanut butter and jelly. Who doesn’t love a dip in the pool on a hot summer day?
Of course, swimmers of all ages and skill levels know that pool safety is an extremely important topic year-round. But, did you know August is one of the highest months for drowning occurrences, even though it is the end of the summer season?
This troublesome statistic indicates that we could all use a refresher on proper pool safety!
Check out these tips from the experts at Life Saver Pool Fence Systems to ensure the safety of all pool-goers:
1. Parent supervision
Nothing beats parent supervision. Proactive parent supervision is your most important tool in drowning prevention. When using the pool, active supervision means sitting close to the pool with your full attention on the child/children—no reading or texting, just watching the pool. At parties/events, we recommend designating a person as a Water Watcher (we offer lanyards and whistles to give to the person to denote them) and change shifts every 15 minutes. Most drownings occurwhen the child was thought to be in the house, nowhere near the pool area. In 67 per cent of fatal drowning cases, a parent was responsible for supervising the child. So, supervision can and does fail, and that’s why you need additional layers of protection.
2. High locks on all doors and windows.
Locks out of the reach of children should be installed, and used, on every door and window that leads to the pool area. Many drownings happen because a parent didn’t know the child had figured out the door knob, so don’t rely on the door being shut. Also, close up any doggy/pet doors that access the pool. Many children who drown accessed the pool via a doggy door.
3. Pool Safety Fence
Pool fencing is the only layer of protection that physically isolates the backyard from the pool. Fences should be at least 4′ tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Mesh pool safety fence, like Life Saver Pool Fence, has proven to be an effective layer of protection for over 45 years. It’s very transparent, aesthetically pleasing and easy to remove when entertaining only adults.
4. Alarms
Drowning is silent. Alarms break that silence. There are door/window alarms, alarms that sit in the pool, and our favorite, the Safety Turtle, which is worn on the child. If the child falls into the pool, an alarm inside that house goes off.
5. Swimming Lessons
All children should receive swimming lessons as early as their parents and pediatricians feel comfortable. Swimming lessons can begin earlier than one might think, some organizations training even infants to roll over and float, and to swim to the edge of the pool in the event that they fall in.
6. CPR
And if all of the other layers of protection fail, parents should be trained in CPR. Knowledge of CPR can make the difference between life, permanent disability and death.
Keep these tips in mind the next time you or your young ones are taking a dip.
When it comes to swimming, all is fun and games until someone gets hurt.
Enjoy the pool, and stay safe!
See more info about pool safety here.
