Child Safety Proof your Pool from Drowning
Fort Myers, Florida July 24th, 2012- Drowning is the second leading cause of injury-related death in young children, and 60% of these drownings occur at home. As Americans escape the summer heat by heading to the pool, it is important to remember that a home pool comes with increased risks. AquaMobile Swim School has developed a guide on safety proofing your home pool to ensure that you enjoy all of the benefits of your home pool, without the hazards.
1. Have multiple barriers
Pools should have a self-closing, self-locking gate with a fence at least 1.5 yards(5 feet) high to prevent a child from climbing over it. For above ground pools, remove the ladder after using the pool so children cannot climb in. Fully retract the pool cover before using the pool, as a child could get stuck under the cover. Don’t forget to lock doors and windows of the home to minimize the risk of young children wandering out to the pool.
2. Beware of excess water
A child can drown in as little as a few inches of water and many serious injuries occur from falling on slippery decks, boards, and ladders. Make sure to remove excess water off of the pool cover and drain wading pools and kiddie pools when they are not in use. Be cautious of wet pool decks and equipment. “Walk don’t run” is a great way to minimize the risk of slipping.
3. Properly equip your pool
Every pool should have a first-aid kit and emergency phone numbers nearby and the pool deck should be free of objects. Have at least one buoyant aid (such as a pool noodle or flutter board) near the pool deck and be prepared to use other safety equipment such as lifejackets and pool safety hooks. Safety equipment should be inspected routinely to make sure it is in working condition. Separate the shallow and deep ends of the pool with a buoy line to avoid weak swimmers ending up in deeper water.
4. Be alert
Drowning can happen in as little as 10 seconds, so an engaged and undistracted pool supervisor is a must. If you need to do something away from the pool, make sure your child is out of the pool and by your side before doing so. When throwing a pool party, hiring a certified lifeguard is highly recommended so that you can focus on entertaining and not worry about being distracted.
5. Maintain your pool regularly
Whether you self-maintain your pool or have a professional do it, pools should have a pH reading between 7.2 and 7.8. Free Available Chlorine should be at least 0.5 ppm. Your pool should be free of debris and hair, with the main drain visible. Chemicals should be stored in clearly labeled, sealed containers in a secure location.
6. Educate yourself and your children
Everyone in the household should learn to swim especially if you and your family plan to spend time near a pool or beach. Infants can begin learning as young as 3 months old (be sure to check with your doctor first). Early water education will teach children to respect water. Review basic safety rules with your children, and warn them to stay away from pool drains, filters, and covers.
AquaMobile Swim School is a private swim school that offers high quality swim instruction at clients’ home and condo pools in over 30 cities. For more information about AquaMobile, call 1-888-950-7946 or email info@aquamobileswim.com or visit us on our website atwww.aquamobileswim.com.
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