Swimming is a staple of summertime. Hanging out around the pool is a fantastic way to stay cool when the temperature starts climbing. If you have a pool in your backyard, you need to be aware of the risks that come along with it. As the homeowner, you’re responsible for the safety of the swimmers. Even though the shining blue water might look completely harmless, there are a lot of dangers that are associated with swimming pools, and you need to know how to manage them.
We’ve come up with some pool safety advice to help you keep everyone safe as they’re having their summer fun.
1. Keep the pool area secure.
You need to take steps to prevent people from going near the pool when you’re not there. Swimmers should never be unsupervised, and only people to whom you’ve given express permission should be able to access your pool. The Red Cross has these tips for guarding your pool:
- A fence should surround the entire pool area.
- Gates should be self-closing and self-locking.
- Any locks or bolts should be well out of reach of children.
- If you have an above-ground pool, take the ladder down and cover the pool whenever it’s not in use.
- Make sure that there’s nothing near the fence that could allow someone to climb over it.
2. Have pool rules and enforce them.
Make sure that your pool rules are very clear. Safety can’t be taken lightly, so make sure that you take the rules seriously. A good place to start is with the following four rules:
- No running.
- Don’t put your fingers near the filters or grates.
- No diving.
- No roughhousing.
Your rules should be posted where people can see and read them easily. You should also post CPR instructions, too.
3. Make sure the fence is in good repair.
A fence with a hole kind of defeats the purpose. Make sure that your pool area is completely secure.
4. Supervise, supervise, supervise.
No one should swim alone, especially children. Make sure the kiddos know that they have to get your permission to use the pool and that they have to wait for you to come out and watch them. Keep an eye on your young charges. Accidents happen fast.
5. Know your stuff.
You need to get proper training if you’re going to be in charge of a swimming pool. You should get lifeguard certified, first-aid certified, and CPR certified to make sure that you’re prepared for an emergency situation.
6. Put the kids in swimming lessons.
If you have kids who are going to be swimming, make sure that they’ve had swim lessons given by a qualified teacher. Having them complete lessons will help them feel more comfortable in the water, and it will make you feel a lot better.
7. Keep the pool clean.
Pools can get dirty and germy. Make sure that you’re maintaining and cleaning your pool properly. Some general guidelines for ensuring that the pool stays clean are:
- Keep up with the filters in the pool.
- Chemically treat the pool by carefully following the instructions and storing the chemicals properly.
- Don’t drink the water.
- Keep pets out of the pool.
- Don’t allow people who have open wounds or who are sick go swimming.
- Make sure that babies wear appropriate swim diapers.
8. Don’t mess around with the weather.
Thunderstorms and swimming pools…not a good combination. If you hear thunder or spot lightening, everyone needs to get out of the pool and stay out for at least half and hour. If you hear another boom or see another flash, the thirty minutes starts over again. Besides, you don’t want to go swimming when it’s raining or overcast anyways.
9. Keep safety equipment in an easily accessible place.
Make sure that you have life jackets and other flotation devices around the pool just in case you need them. You should also have a phone near the pool so that you can call 911 if necessary. Time is of the essence if someone gets hurt or has a drowning incident.
10. Make sure you’ve got the right insurance coverage for your pool.
Another important thing you can do to protect your swimmers is to make sure that you have enough coverage for your pool. If you’re thinking about having a pool installed, be sure to talk to your agent to see if you need to increase your coverage. They’ll be looking at your property and liability coverages to see if your pool—and you—are fully protected if something were to happen to a swimmer or the pool itself.
Pools are a lot of fun, and by making safety a priority you can prevent a calamity or tragedy from happening. It’s important that you don’t neglect the pool safety basics—you never know what’s going to happen, but you can reduce the chances of a drowning or other injury by making sure your pool is as safe as possible.
If you’re interested in getting a free homeowners insurance quote, fill out our handy dandy quote form or give us a call today! We’d love to help you with any of your insurance needs.
Source:
http://www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety