11 Pool Safety Tips
Summer’s here and the time is right … For dancing in the streets.” Well it is but it is also swimming season and with that we need to take the time to think about pool safety. Did you know that according to the government of Canada, one of the leading causes of death in children aged 1 to 4 is drowning? While a dip in the pool can be a fun way to relax and cool off during the summer, it can also be very dangerous if proper precautions are not taken.
While swimming can be a fun and often rewarding experience, it can also be dangerous. However, there are ways to counteract this danger and make swimming a fun summer activity. Its with that in mind that we present our Top Pool Safety Tips.
Don’t Be Caught Off Guard
Swimming is fun and refreshing. A pool is a great asset in the summer, and source of family entertainment during those hot summer days. Enjoy the Pool but keep these 11 Pool Safety Tips in your top of mind:
- Keep kids and inexperienced swimmers within arm’s reach. Inexperienced swimmers and kids are always at risk of drowning, so keeping a close eye helps.
- Make sure young children and in experienced swimmers wear a life jacket. The government recommends an approved life-jacket, but any brand name you trust will do.
- Invest in swimming lessons for your child. Swimming lessons are a good, inexpensive way to teach your child to swim the proper way from a young age. And hey lets face it we live on an island and we are surrounded by water. Its an investment in your child.
- Build a fence around your pool. Building a fence around your pool helps to prevent pool incidents including people wandering in or the pool becoming a liability due to strangers swimming.
- Keep lifesaving equipment and a first aid kit near the pool. Keeping something as simple as a life ring poolside can be the difference between a close call and death.
- Put away toys after getting out. Leaving toys out can be a hazard as it can tempt children and others to attempt to retrieve them and possibly drown.
- Keep a cover on the pool when it’s not in use. Keeping a cover on your pool can detract people from wanting to get in and can save a lot of hassle.
- Keep your pool clean. Keeping your pool clean helps to eliminate bacteria in your pool, which in turn can help prevent diseases and various physical ailments.
- Wear sunscreen. While in the pool, there is a risk of sunburn on your torso, shoulders and face, which are some of the most painful burns. Wearing sunscreen negates this risk and can eliminate the consequences of summer.
- Set pool rules. Setting pool rules designed to prevent injury can help make swimming safer. Some easy rules are: No running, No diving in the shallow end, no holding underwater etc.
- Ditch the diving board. Diving boards, while they can be fun, are extremely dangerous as they cause lots of head injuries. Even experienced divers are suspect to occasional falls off the diving board, which most involve trauma to the head.
Be Vigilant
No matter how vigilant you are, there always remains the possibility that something could go wrong. So always keep an eye. If something does go wrong, react fast. Try to get the individual out of the water and provide proper treatment. Don’t hesitate to call 911, if there is any doubt make the call. Life is too precious not to. With all that said lets enjoys the summer days and have a great time swimming.
