pool safety

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Pool Safety

While having a pool can be lots of fun, there is an extremely high level of responsibility that goes along with it. It is your job to secure your pool or hot tub in such a way that allows access to no one other than yourself and those you give permission to.

Drowning accidents are the leading cause of injuries and deaths among children under the age of five. A child can drown in just a matter of seconds-- in the time it takes to answer the phone.

The majority of drowning incidents occur while the caretaker assumed the child was safe indoors. That has to be one of the very worst feelings in the world to come to the realization that while in your care a child fell into the pool and drowned. Do NOT ever let this happen to you. Consider a pool alarm.

It cannot be stressed enough that before you even consider a pool or hot tub you must first decide how you will secure the area where the pool or hot tub will be to insure you are never faced with a tradgedy of an accidental drowning.

Please take the time to read the following facts and safety tips we have put together for you and your family. They are extremely important and could save a life:

Make sure you install a self closing, self latching locking gate that is above the reach of a child under the age of 14.
The self-latching mechanism should be at least 54 inches, from the bottom of the gate. If less than 54 inches, the latching mechanism should be located on the pool side of the gate.
25% of all children who have drowned or nearly drowned have had swimming lessons.
The risk of a drowning or near drowning is highest during the first six months a family has a pool.
For every drowning, an additional five near drowning cases are treated in the emergency room. Irreversible brain damage occurs in 3 to 5 minutes.
In California there are more than 330 people with irreversible brain damage because of near drowning incidents. Of this total more than 75 people are currently hospitalized at a cost of $120,000 per year for life.
Drowning is a silent killer. The victims don't cry for help. They are not getting enough air to breathe, so they don't have the extra air needed to call for help.
There is no substitute for adequate supervision. Children need to be watched. Never leave children unattended in or around pools or spas - not even for a second.
Do not allow children to play in pool areas. Keep toys out of the area so a child isn’t enticed.

As you can see there are many things to consider when owning a pool and this is only a partial list.

Aside from all the necessary precautions you must take, a much needed additional safety measure you should consider is a pool alarm.

Although you may be taking all the right precautions you feel that you possibly can to prevent any accidents, there is still always the possibility that a child could somehow end up in the pool area without anyone knowing it. It is a scary thought but it is true.

A pool alarm is an excellent idea as an added means of precaution. The pool alarm will alert you when either an animal or a person has entered the water of the pool whether on purpose or accident. It is easy to use and there is no installation necessary. Click here for more information regarding the swimming pool alarm.

Here are some additional tips and suggestions you should follow on pool safety:

Keep rescue equipment such as long handled hook and ring buoy with a rope hanging near the pool
Many floatation toys are thought to be lifesavers but they are not! They are only toys and should be used only as toys and with adult supervision
Install a phone by the pool so you can answer it without leaving children unattended
Always keep chairs, tables or toys away from the pool or spa fence to keep children from using them to climb over
Do not allow anyone of any age to swim alone. Drowning happens to adults too
When you are entertaining a group of children of adults, have a designated pool watcher who is responsible for keeping track of everyone. Examples of safe water behavior by adults are important for young children
Always completely remove a pool or spa cover before use to avoid the possibility of anyone being trapped under the cover
Have members of the family take a swim class and learn CPR
Your pool should be surrounded by a 5 foot 6 inch high or higher fence or barrier
The fence must be childproof with bars not more than 4 inches apart. If it is a chain link fence, the diamond shaped opening should be no larger than 1 & 3/4 inches
Keep all the gates locked at all times
Keep all exit doors and windows leading from the house to the pool locked and secured at all times
Pool rules should be posted in a visible location and should be followed by everyone
There should be plenty of approved PFD's (Personal Flotation Devices) available
Make sure the diving board and any slides are always in safe operating condition

So have fun be safe and remember: all drownings are preventable

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