Pool Safety for Children
A swimming pool is great to have in the great state of Texas. Our warm weather and sometimes unbearable heat make it a great place to unwind and refresh with family and friends. Toddlers and young children are particularly drawn to water because of how it sparkles and splashes, how it feels and how much fun it can be. Unfortunately, this fascination can also be awfully hazardous. Annually, people drown or are injured needlessly in Houston and children are at the most risk. While drowning receives the most attention, there are up to 4 nonfatal pool accidents that are serious enough to require hospitalization for every fatality. Despite the discouraging facts, certain steps in pool safety can reduce the threats and keep the pool for what it was intended for – a lot of fun. Here are the layers of safety that should be added to the pool area to protect your children from the hazards.
Diligent Supervision
The reason why pool fencing has grown in popularity in recent years is because this first step is probably the most difficult pool safety tip for people to follow. In the modern world of smart phones, social media and more, it is too easy to become distracted. Sadly, 69% of drowning fatalities take place when one or both parents are responsible for supervision of the child. Supervision is imperative, but regrettably alone, can and does fail.
Pool Safety Fencing
A pool safety fence should restrict all access to the swimming pool. The gate should be self-closing and self-latching/self-locking and the latch or lock should be out of the child’s reach. To learn more about the general requirements consult our pool fencing guidelines.
Pool Alarms
There are various types of pool safety alarms. Some are installed on the doors leading to the pool area and sound-off whenever the doors are opened. Other alarms are triggered whenever an object of a predetermined size hits the water, sounding-off on a base located inside the home. There are other alarms that may be worn and that sound-off on a separate base when they are immersed in water. Regardless of the model, an alarm alerts home owners when someone or something has accessed the pool.
Children Must Learn to Swim
It is important to teach a child to swim as early on as possible. Young children are easily distracted and can be disoriented if they fall into the pool, sometimes rendering the ability to swim useless. However, as children get older, their ability to swim will protect them with greater return. Life Saver of Houston works with swim instructors and can provide much more information on the matter.
Learning First Aid and CPR
It is always preferable to avoid tragedy, however it is best to be prepared should it arrive. Knowing first aid and CPR can prevent a small accident from becoming a big one. It is recommended that there be at least one adult in the household who can swim and perform CPR in the event of a drowning.
Implement Rules
Create a list of home swimming pool rules that everyone knows and must follow.
It is vital to know that swimming pool safety isn’t one quick fix. Drowning is avoidable through layers of protection. Each layer; a pool fence, an alarm, swimming lessons, CPR, rules and supervision, alone are not enough. However, combined can lead to many safe and fun seasons by the pool!