Tips for Swimming Pool Safety

A swimming pool adds value to your home and is a great place for your kids to play and guests to gather. In order to get the most out of your pool, it’s important to take precautions while swimming and to keep your pool safe when it’s not in use. Here are a few helpful tips for swimming pool safety.

Advice for Swimming Pool Safety

Put a Fence Around Your Pool

Installing a fence around the pool area is a must. Even if you do not have small children, there are many instances of children leaving their own backyard and falling into a neighbor’s pool. Install a gate lock that children cannot open. For added safety, include an alarm on the gate and in the pool to alert you when someone enters the area.

Teach Kids About Swimming Pool Safety

If you have children, teach them about safety before they are allowed to use the pool. Let your kids help make the pool rules and they’ll be more likely to respect and follow them. Explain the consequences if rules are broken, like no pool time for a week. Kids should understand that they are never to swim alone. When guests visit, be sure they also understand the pool rules.

Enroll your children in swimming lessons from an early age. While kids still need supervision, swimming lessons teach life-saving skills.

Designate a Person to Watch Children Around the Pool

If you are having a gathering with adults and children, determine a schedule that ensures kids are always supervised. Parents can enjoy socializing while knowing someone is in charge of pool safety. Take turns supervising swimmers and rotate the responsibility every 30 minutes.

Use a Drain Cover

Pool drains can be dangerous, especially if the drain cover is damaged or not the correct one for your pool. Make sure you are using a properly fitted drain cover and teach children to stay away from the pool drains.

Always Swim Sober

Many people enjoy a drink or two by the pool, but you should never use the pool if you aren’t sober. Accidents happen when people are intoxicated. Don’t allow children to swim without a sober adult to keep watch.

For Swimming Pool Safety, Have a Life Preserver Nearby

Pool toys are fun, especially for kids, and while these toys are buoyant, pool toys are not a substitute for a life-saving flotation device. Floats are also no substitute for adult supervision. Keep an approved flotation device near your pool and within easy reach.

Keep Your Pool Clean

Keep your pool clean and maintain the balance of chemicals in the water. Pools can harbor bacteria that may make your family sick. Use test strips to monitor the condition of the water. Always keep pool chemicals in a locked cabinet that is not accessible to children or pets.

With the proper swimming pool safety measures, your family can focus on the best part of having a pool: enjoying summer with time in the water.

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