Pool Safety for Children

Swimming pools should be a place where children are able to laugh and play safely, however, too many children drown or face near-drowning each year – often in their own parents’ pools.  Too many a family pet has met the same fate.  Keep in mind that the water depth of any pool, no matter how shallow, is sufficient for drowning to take place. Following is a list of guidelines on how to help prevent these tragic accidents:

- Never leave small children unsupervised in or around a swimming pool –even for a few seconds. If you must leave the pool area, take your child with you.

- Put self-closing, self-latching, well-maintained fencing around the swimming pool area to keep people from using the pool without your knowledge.  Make sure that the latch on the fence is out of the reach of a child.

- If you own an above-ground pool, make sure that the ladder leading into the pool is secured upward and locked when you are away, or removed entirely from the pool when your swimming pool is not being used.

- Parents may want to consider installing a door alarm on the door that leads out of the house and into the pool area.

- Keep children away from pool filters, and teach them to stay clear of filters.  The suction force of  pool filter have the potential to injure children or even keep them under water.

- Be sure that anyone using your swimming pool knows how to swim. Learners of any age should always be accompanied by a good swimmer.

- Teach your children good swimming pool habits.  Be an example for your child and don’t swim alone or allow others to swim alone – of any age.

- Check the area in and around your swimming pool regularly for potential accident hazards such as glass bottles, toys, pool chemicals, or loose parts.

- Do not allow children to play or ride bikes around the swimming pool.  This behavior could result in a fall into the swimming pool and possibly even head trauma on the way in.

- Carefully read and follow all of the manufacturer's directions for safe installation, use and maintenance of pool covers. Whenever you use your swimming pool, make sure you completely remove the pool cover before to avoid the chance of anyone, especially a small child -- becoming trapped and drowning under the cover.

- If, in the unfortunate event, you find a child drowning in the pool, begin rescue breathing immediately.  Every second counts to try to prevent brain injury.  Check with your local fire department or ambulance corps for classes on First Aid and CPR.