The Most Complete List For Pool Safety

Before summer weather approaches, it is imperative that those who own, use, or work with swimming pools start thinking about how to make the most of this great recreational tool. Pools are awesome, but need the proper attention paid to safety precautions before opening for the season. This starts with making sure that you abide by the latest, best-informed, and accurate safety guidelines available, some of which include:

1. Provide constant supervision for all children by a qualified adult, i.e., someone who can swim, knows CPR, and will not walk off (without a stand-in) or get distracted.

2. If possible, put a fence around the pool equipped with a self-locking latch, which should never be left open. Keep lawn furniture, trees, shrubs and other climbable items away from the fence.

3. Provide non-slippery surfaces for walkways, decks, diving boards, and ladders; reinforce or replace these as they wear out.

4. Mark (using safety float lines, large painted numbers, etc.) shallow water (6 feet or less of water) appropriately; do not allow diving or water sliding into such pool environments. Provide appropriate depth indicators for the entire pool.

5. Identify and cover sharp edges and protruding hard surfaces to prevent injuries. Repair broken and shaky ladders and railings.

6. Do not allow running, roughhousing and thrill-seeking stunts anywhere near the pool. This includes pushing anyone into the pool, performing dangerous diving maneuvers, going down a slide head first, or not making sure other swimmers are out of the way when sliding or diving.

7. Avoid possible electrical shock hazards by keeping electrical devices away from the pool, making sure all wiring has been installed and maintained by professionals, and closing down the pool (if outdoors) when lightning storms are nearby. See to it that ground-fault circuit interrupters are installed for pool area installations, if appropriate.

8. Familiarize yourself with local ordinances and safety codes.

9. Place ladders and rails around the pool; these should be child-friendly, sturdy enough for adults, and removable/lockable when access to the pool is meant to be denied.

10. Make sure that everyone using your pool can swim. Recognize that children under 4 years old may not be developmentally ready to learn to swim.

11. Clearly post pool rules and guidelines. Be prepared to follow the rules yourself, starting with never swimming by yourself, if at all possible.

12. Keep first aid equipment and rescue tools (adult-weight-bearing floating ring, floating shepherd’s crook, First Aid kit, a working phone, etc.) near the pool at all times.

13. Teach children what to do in case of an emergency and to watch out for other children.

14. Avoid leaving toys near swimming pools, which may attract toddlers to play near it.

15. Get CPR training for all adults and teenagers.

16. Avoid depending on inflatable swimming aids, which may not be as dependable as approved life vests and may give children and adults a false sense of security.

17. Always be within arm’s length whenever a toddler is in the water, even if they are placed in a flotation device.

18. Invest in automatic pool covers; at any rate, make sure that the pool cover can withstand the weight of 2 adults and one child (in case a rescue becomes necessary). Also, make sure that it drains well since a child can drown in a mere 2 to 3 inches of water. For added safety, install an approved pool drain cover.

19. Use pool alarms (even for above ground pools) when possible. They can help alert adults when children go near a pool.

20. Equip your drains with anti-entrapment covers and possibly SVRS systems (suction valve release systems).

21. Strive to maintain your pool properly, using the right amounts of chemicals when called for. Chemicals, for example, can help prevent infections because of dirty water. Instruct children never to urinate in the pool and ask anyone with diarrhea to abstain from using the pool.

22. Use no drugs or alcohol when you plan to use the pool.

23. Stay out of the pool during thunder storms.

24. If your child is missing first look at the pool! Time is critical.