Playing and splashing around in a pool can be a real treat for children on these hot summer days. Keep kids safe when swimming in a pool and remember the Rules for the Pool apply to ALL guests and swimmers.
RULES FOR THE POOL
- Never leave your children alone in or near the pool. Even children AND adults who know how to swim can drown.
- Children 5 and younger should always have an adult within arm's reach of them. This is sometimes referred to as "touch supervision".
- To ensure effective supervision, assign one adult to watch duty. Don't assume that everyone is watching the pool. There have been tragedies in the pool despite the number of adults being nearby.
- The adult supervising the children in the pool should know how to swim. An adult who can't swim watching children in a 9ft pool cannot jump in and grab a drowning child.
- For an inground pool, fencing is a must. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and the rest of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach and/or latches that are on the other side of the fence. Isolation fences work best. Keep in mind that chain link fences are easy for children to climb.
- Alarm the doorsthat lead to the pool areas so if your child opens the door, the alarm will sound.
- For above ground pools, removable steps and/or steps that gate and lockare a must.
- Remove all chairs, tables, toys, etc. that a child can and will use to climb upto reach the gate and latch or that the child can use to climb over the gate.
- Although pool toys are a big hit, keep the path around the pool clear of toysto prevent tripping or accidentally falling into the pool.
- Floaties, swimmies and rafts or tube are NOT life saving devices. Keep a life jacket handy and any child who cannot swim, is not a strong swimmer or cannot touch bottom should wear one.
- Do not rely on swimming lessons to keep your child safe, you cannot drown proof anyone(including a child who has had lessons and/or an adult who's been swimming for years).
- Always have a telephone within arm's reach. If you have to call 911 you won't be able to run inside and grab the phone.
- After the children are done swimming, secure the pool either by locking the gate, removing the steps or a manual safety cover.
- Never allow children to dive in shallow water.
- Never underestimate children.
Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Drowning can happen so fast — sometimes in less than 2 minutes after their head goes under the water. Keep kids safe when swimming in a pool and remember the Rules for the Pool apply to ALL guests and swimmers and must be consistent each and every time.
As scary as it sounds....children drown without a sound....Keep kids safe when swimming in a pool.
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