Pool Safety Tips
Pool Safety Tips
The Importance of Pool Safety
Drowning is the leading cause of death of children under the age of five with thousands more treated for near drowning accidents. Children do not have the upper body strength to lift themselves out of these dangerous situations. Though most drowning occurs in the family’s own back yard pool, drowning can also occur bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, hot tubs, nearby rivers or ponds. Pools should be fenced in with walls at least 4 feet high and gates shelf closing and self-locking and away from a child’s reach. Keep anything that can be used to climb on to over the fence into the pool area. Make sure you maintain pool filters, pumps and other mechanical parts. Keep all pool chemicals and toxic substances out of the reach of children. U.S Poison Control Centers reported more than 1.2 million accidental poisonings in 2002.
Additional pool hazards are falls on the slippery, wet pool decks from running, drain entrapment, diving into too shallow water, illnesses from waterborne bacteria and parasites. Over confidence and taking unnecessary risks also contribute to accidents in the pool.
Located in the deepest part of the pool is the drain that carries powerful suction. This powerful suction can trap them and hold them to the drain. Where the drain is located combined with the suction can entangle a swimmer’s hair or clothing.
Although drowning is a parent’s biggest concern, broken, old and torn up pool toys can result in bruising, cuts, and choking. The best prevention is adult supervision and NEVER leaving your child unattended, even if it is just for a moment. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. The phone can wait, the person at the door can wait. Nothing is more important than the safety and well being of your children.
Drowning is the leading cause of death of children under the age of five with thousands more treated for near drowning accidents. Children do not have the upper body strength to lift themselves out of these dangerous situations. Though most drowning occurs in the family’s own back yard pool, drowning can also occur bathtubs, toilets, dog water bowls, hot tubs, nearby rivers or ponds. Pools should be fenced in with walls at least 4 feet high and gates shelf closing and self-locking and away from a child’s reach. Keep anything that can be used to climb on to over the fence into the pool area. Make sure you maintain pool filters, pumps and other mechanical parts. Keep all pool chemicals and toxic substances out of the reach of children. U.S Poison Control Centers reported more than 1.2 million accidental poisonings in 2002.
Additional pool hazards are falls on the slippery, wet pool decks from running, drain entrapment, diving into too shallow water, illnesses from waterborne bacteria and parasites. Over confidence and taking unnecessary risks also contribute to accidents in the pool.
Located in the deepest part of the pool is the drain that carries powerful suction. This powerful suction can trap them and hold them to the drain. Where the drain is located combined with the suction can entangle a swimmer’s hair or clothing.
Although drowning is a parent’s biggest concern, broken, old and torn up pool toys can result in bruising, cuts, and choking. The best prevention is adult supervision and NEVER leaving your child unattended, even if it is just for a moment. Accidents happen in the blink of an eye. The phone can wait, the person at the door can wait. Nothing is more important than the safety and well being of your children.
Protect Your Pool
Pool Safety Tips
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By using layers of protection, constant supervision, proper maintenance, education and precautions can make your pool play time a safe environment for you and your family.
Alarms should be installed to alert the parent that someone is in the pool area, covering the pool during non use, having life saving equipment such as life jackets, shepherds hook, live ring and portable phone near the pool, educating yourself on what to do in case of drowning, and keeping tempting toys out of the pool are just a few ways to keep your children safe during pool play time.
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