Pools can be the centre of your summer holiday plans. But without knowing and keeping to some basic pool safety rules, your holiday fun can end in tragedy.
There are plenty of ways to avoid accidents, and ensuring everyone knows the dangers is key to preventing them. As scary as it may seem, talk to your children about pool safety and the risks involved in swimming and playing around the pool – they will follow rules better if they understand why we need them.
Barriers and Fencing
If you have a pool at home, make sure that you have the proper safety in place. Fences or barriers around the pool are a must, and nets or covers of any kind are recommended.
Teach children not to climb over barriers and that they can only access the pool through the designated entrance or gate. This avoids accidental slipping or falling.
Supervision
Children should never swim unsupervised. Whether it is at home, at the beach or at the local pool, if there is no one in charge of watching kids, there is a risk of an accident.
Make sure your children know that they are not allowed to swim unless at least one adult is sitting and watching them, or even better, in the pool with them. It is also essential to know as an adult what a child in distress looks like – children very seldom make a noise and a fuss when in trouble; they drown quickly and silently.
If you are watching kids in the pool, be focused and aware. Put away your phone or your book, anything that can distract you for even a second from a child in trouble.
Water Safe Children
Swimming lessons are a great water safety tool, especially if you have a home pool. And even if you don’t have one, learning to swim will benefit your child at some point.
While being able to swim does not “drown-proof” your child, it does teach them respect for pools and safety measures. Even at a young age, swimming lessons have been proven to be beneficial to children.
CPR and First Aid
Being able to perform even basic CPR and first aid can make all the difference between life and death. Sign up with a group of friends or other parents, and when your children are old enough, make sure they know how to do the basics as well.
There are plenty of places you can go to learn basic CPR and first aid:
- Supernannies for au pairs and nannies
- BLS Medical for swimming instructors
- ABC Baby Care for parents and any childminders
These are just a few examples – look around for your local service providers.
Pool Safety
Pool safety begins at home. But with the help of companies like PoolSpa, who are suppliers of items like pool ladders, you can ensure that your pool is as safe as possible. They will also be able to answer any questions that you may have about pool safety, so give them a call today.
