Brush off your barbecue grills, stock up on popsicles, and get yourself a new swimsuit because…
Summer has officially arrived!
After a winter with too many snows and a Spring with too much rain, I am ready for summer. If your neighborhood is anything like mine, then the arrival of summer means:
Pool Season!
In the excitement of summer, it’s tempting to throw on a suit and jump on in…
but wait!
For most of us, it’s been about a year since we dipped our toes in the water. Before you and your family cannonball in, make sure you review these Pool Safety Tips to be sure you enjoy your summer safely!
Did you know: A child can drown in the time it takes to answer a telephone. More than 200 young children drown in backyard swimming pools each year.
Swim Safety Basics:
- Swim only in designated areas
- Make sure a lifeguard or responsible adult trained in CPR and first aid is present and attentive at all times
- A child who is drowning may not look like the ‘drowning’ we see in TV and movies. Before you swim with a child, please read this article about what drowning looks like and how to spot it. Read it by clicking here.
- Maintain constant eye-to-eye supervision with children in and around the swimming pool
- Stay in arm’s reach of young kids
- Establish and enforce clear pool safety rules (ex: No diving, Stay away from drains, no running, etc.) Post these rules where everyone using the pool can read them
- Never leave a young child unattended in or near water
- Do not trust a child’s life to another child
- Teach children to ask permission before going near water
- Issue the adult supervisor an item such as a whistle, bracelet, etc. to reinforce which adult is in charge of the safety of the children
- Make sure young or inexperienced swimmers are wearing US Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Floaties or other inflatable flotation devices are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.
- Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. Remove children from the swimming pool for any distraction such as a telephone call, use of restroom, etc.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments. Here are some tips to review in case someone becomes entrapped.
- If a child is missing, check the water first– every second counts!
- Never permit any person to swim alone
- Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit, within a reachable distance- not inside!
- Know how and when to call 9-1-1
- Keep your pool clean and clear by maintaining proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. This way, you can clearly see what is happening in the pool and minimize risks of earaches, rashes or diseases
- Make sure everyone in the home knows how to respond to water emergencies by having an emergency plan in place with your children
- Protect your skin! Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine
- If it’s your pool:
- Have a fence enclosure that isolates your pool from the home, play areas, front and side yards and the neighbor’s yard
- Make sure all gates in the isolation fence are self-closing and self-latching
- All chairs, tables, large toys or other objects that would allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or enable the child to climb over the isolation fence should be removed or kept inside the fenced area
- Keep the following items away from the water:
- Tricycles or riding toys
- Electronic devices
- Any and all pool toys when the pool is not in use
Resources:
- The American Red Cross
- ABC’s of Pool Safety
- Tips from the Chicago Tribune
- HealthyChildren.org
- PoolSafety.gov
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Safety is very important when it comes to a pool. Making sure there is emergency floating device at all times and keeping it within arms reach. Great article.
Andy