Swimming Pool Safety

Introduction:

Swimming pool safety rules are necessary to prevent injuries while enjoying the pool. Safety rules are for both children and adults. Pool owners should establish safety rules for their pools to insure a safe swimming season.

Although a swimming pool is a great recreation item it also can be dangerous for children and adults if safety rules are not established and adhered to by everyone that uses a swimming pool. It is especially essential to teach children swimming pool safety rules if you want to keep them safe at the pool. Every year we hear of injuries and deaths caused by not following pool safety rules. Most of these incidents can be prevented adopting and following safety rules. Below are recommended safety rules for your swimming pool. Children should be taught these rules and adults should insist that they be followed. Remember, safety rules are for children and adults to follow.

1. Build a swimming pool safety fence around your pool area if it doesn’t already have one. In most communities a pool safety fence is required. The fence will help control animal access and provide peace of mind and security for small children. Insure that there is a pool safety gate gate that can be locked to prevent small children from entering the immediate pool area without supervision.  Pool safety alarms are not expensive and should be installed to provide a warning if the pool area is accessed when there isn’t supervision.

2. Never allow a child to enter a pool without first telling a parent or guardian. Children should never swim unsupervised. 

3. Teach children the safe ways to get out of a pool.  Children have a tendency to swim towards adults when they want to exit a pool. It’s very important to teach them to swim for the ladders and proper exits of the pool. 

4. Show children the depth markings on the side of the pool and teach them how to read the numbers properly. Sometimes children rely too much on where parents tell them they can and cannot swim without any explanation.  They need to learn for themselves what the numbers on the side of the pool mean and which numbers correspond to the parts of the pool where their feet can't touch the bottom.

5. Always insure that the gate to the pool is always locked, when the pool is in use and when it isn’t in use. A homeowner’s worst nightmare is when and unsupervised child gains access to their swimming pool.

6. Be cautious about children using flotation devices or inflatable vests. These devices do not make swimming safer for kids, and may give you and your children a false sense of security.

7. Adults should always practice the same safety rules as the children are expected to follow. Should a child witness an adult scale the pool fence they certainly will try doing the same

8. Alcohol should not be allowed in the pool area.

9. Do not allow glass objects such as bottles and beverage containers in the pool area.

10. Do not allow horseplay by adults and children in the pool area.

11. Pool toys should be put away after use to prevent tripping hazards.