Summer is here and that means more time enjoying the pool. Along with pool fun, it’s important to be very careful around the water. On average, nearly 90 people die in Arizona each year from drowning. Let’s all do what we can to prevent accidents.
Watch Little Ones All The Time
About 20% of those who drown are children who were in their family's or a friend's backyard swimming pool. Most of those children were being supervised around water by at least one adult and were only out of the sight of those adults for 5 minutes or less. Never leave the little ones alone. Take a phone outside with you. Don’t turn your back to run inside to answer the phone, or to grab snacks, or get an extra towel. A few minutes are all it takes to turn fun into tragedy.
Swimming Lessons and CPR
Swimming lessons are a good idea for anyone – especially children. Flotation devices never take the place of good swimming skills. Signing up for CPR classes and learning techniques that can help save a life in an emergency is also important. Classes are often available through local fire stations and community centers.
Just Moving In – Check Fencing Rules
Planning to move to a home that has a pool, or planning to put a pool into your current residence? Be careful to check out rules and regulations regarding pools, fencing, and barriers. Each Arizona city and county has their own swimming pool barrier ordinance. Investigate pool fences, nets, barriers and door locks ~ decide what works for where you live.
Pet Safety
Every year veterinarians see dogs that have fallen into pools and can’t get out. Experts say swimming lessons are important for your dog. Their legs end up bleeding and get blistered as they try to get out. Eventually they can’t try any longer and they die. Put your animal into the pool from the pool stairs and gently lead it into the pool, and then lead it back to the steps so it knows the way back out of the pool. Gradually take your pet farther out into the pool and let it find the stairs on its own. Even if your pool has a fence, a smaller dog can wiggle through the fence. Pool safety extends even to four-legged family members.
Never Swim Alone
Even if you are a good swimmer, don’t swim alone. Accidents in or around the pool can happen even to good swimmers. Having a family member or friend around at the pool has saved many lives.
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