Even the most experienced swimmer can be at risk in a pool so adding as many water safety steps as possible is the best way to assure a safe and fun experience in a residential swimming pool or spa. Parents and families can build on their current safety practices by adopting water safety steps at home pools and spas.
We know it seems like common sense, but sometimes the grown-ups get to talking and you take your eyes off the water for 2 minutes. Stay alert and stay close!
- Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa
- Teach children basic water safety tips
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
- Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa
- If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
- Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors
On a personal note, I have a dear friend whose daughter has been a competitive swimmer basically since she could set her little feet in the pool! She has been trained in pool safety and since she lives in California, she is very active in the water. She is now 8 and a very experienced swimmer. Ella was in the hot tub of their families pool & she dropped a bracelet so she went down to the bottom to retrieve it. Her suit got caught on the spa light and she couldn't get up. Thankfully, Ella's mom turned around in time to see Ella was underwater and couldn't get up. In a shallow hot tub!!!! Before her mom could get to her, Ella was smart enough to think to rip her suit so she could get to air. Below is a picture of her suit that was posted on Facebook as a reminder that NO swimmer is exempt from the dangers of the water. BE aware!
See the hole?
While it was an extremely petrifing experience for everyone, we all learned how quickly things can go wrong; even to the most experienced swimmers.
Moral of the story? Learn and practice safety skills!
- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
- Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
- Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency
How else can you keep your family safe in the pool? By having the proper equipment for your pool and/or spa:
- Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
- If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
- Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
- Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers - if you're unsure, ask the professionals at Pool Masters.
- Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
- Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm
- Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
Pool Masters wants to make sure your summer is not only fun in the sun, but SAFE in the sun! Give us a call at 615-266-6912 to make sure your pool's safety is up-to-date! Be sure to visit us HERE and sign up for special savings!
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