Unfortunately, children are not immune to the effect that a swimming pool’s beauty has. In fact, they are often more attractive to them than adults are. As a result, you must exercise a lot of caution when you have children and a swimming pool, as it only takes one slip or wrong move to bring about disastrous results.
Findings outlined in Australia’s National Drowning Report stated that drowning is a major cause of death for Australian children. Regrettably, many of these deaths occur in apartment or backyard pools. While there are various reasons for this prevalence, the primary one is a combination of the negligence of water safety tips and unsafe pools.
So, it is time to consider the following pool safety tips for children.
1. Install a Pool Barrier/Fence Around the Pool
The primary safety precaution to adopt is a fence or barrier. This structure ensures that the pool remains inaccessible to precocious young ones whenever they are unsupervised.
When erecting the barrier, you must ensure its construction restricts access so your children cannot go over, under or through it. Therefore, it is best to use the recommended fence construction guidelines of- at least four feet in height, surrounding the pool and is see-through. Additionally, the gate must be self-closing and self-latching, with the latches installed out of a child’s reach. Finally, it is best to have the gate swing away from the pool to open.
2. Cover the Pool When Not in Use
Another safety feature calls for you to cover your swimming pool when it is not in use. Moreover, if you have an above-ground pool, you must remove the access ladder whenever you aren’t using it.
Pool covers must fit perfectly across the swimming pool’s surface. This consideration ensures no open gaps, allowing a child to slip into the pool and get trapped under the cover.
3. Install Pool Alarms
Experts strongly recommend installing a pool alarm even with a barrier and cover. This device detects waves or movement in the water and then sends a warning, thus alerting you that someone is in the water. Alternatively, you can opt for a pool alarm system that shines a beam around the pool area and sounds an alarm when someone walks through it.
You can install an alarm on the pool barrier’s gate or door. Fitting the alarm with a unique sound ensures you get alerted to someone opening the latch.
Water Safety Checklist for Your Family
Finally, no matter the pool safety devices you implement, it is wise to supplement their use with a pool safety checklist that outlines the universal water safety rules. Some of these tips include:
- Always supervise your kids in and around the pool- no matter their proficiency in swimming.
- Swimming lessons are crucial. They lower the risk of drowning among children 1-4 years old; thus, they can save lives.
- Learn essential lifesaving skills, like CPR, for emergencies and keep a first aid box readily available in your house.
- Teach your children all the pool safety rules.
- Your children must always wear life jackets. Don’t substitute them with pool toys
- Don’t allow your children to play breath-holding games while in the water.
- To avoid injury from diving or jumping into shallow water, teach your children to always enter the pool feet first.
- Teach your kids to avoid pool drains, and fix faulty drains immediately.
- Keep an outline of the pool rules prominently visible somewhere around the pool.
- Clearly mark the deep and shallow ends.
Remember that your children’s safety is always paramount. Therefore, the best way to enjoy a swimming pool is by ensuring that every family member can safely enjoy it.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
