6 Must-Know Pool Safety Tips for Parents and Teens
Pool safety tips for parents is important with the onset of COVID-19, many families have turned away from communal swimming pools and taken the dive of getting their own personal swimming pool installed at home.
While this is a great step to take and can have several benefits, there are certain risks that are presented when transitioning to a home-based pool.
For example, there are no trained lifeguards present to help if a person or pet begins to drown. There are also no posted pool rules designed to keep children in line and prevent them from doing dangerous things.
To reduce the risks that your pool presents to your family, be sure to follow these 6 must-know pool safety tips for parents:
#1: Teach Children to Swim
Swimming lessons can be a great way to introduce your child to the water while also teaching them the dangers of it. Enrolling your child in parent-kid swimming classes can also be an excellent bonding exercise!
Some kids (generally children ages 6 and under), however, will be too young to effectively learn to swim. For these cases, we recommend keeping them within arm’s reach at all times, as well as securing them with a life jacket any time they’re within walking distance to the water.
#2: Inform All Visitors of Important Pool Rules
No matter who they are, you should inform all visitors of the pool rules that are in place to keep them safe. However, conversations like that can get awkward quickly, so you may find it easier to get a sign with some rules on it that you can hang up. Simply put it up in a highly visible area and ask parents to explain the rules to their children.
Some rules that you might include on your sign are:
- No diving (in the cases where the pool is not over five feet deep)
- No running
- No roughhousing
- No swimming without adult supervision
- Do not play around pool drains or covers
- No swimming during storms
These rules can be tweaked and added to depending on your personal preference, but these are just some of the ones we recommend keeping in place.
#3: Designate a “Water Watcher”
A water watcher’s function is similar to that of a lifeguard. They keep an eye on the pool while it is in use and act as the first line of defense if something goes amiss. They should be aware of the basic water safety practices and make sure that children are following your posted rules.
You can also have a system for switching out on water watcher duty, as no one wants to spend their entire day at the pool just watching!
#4: Train At Least One Household Adult in CPR
If a pool accident were to happen, CPR would be the first thing to do if someone is pulled out of the water unconscious. In situations like these, having someone that knows proper CPR techniques can be the difference between life and death.
We recommend sending one adult in the household to an official CPR class to receive a certification so they are well-versed in what to do if something goes amiss.
#5: Install a Fence Around the Perimeter of the Pool
Many homeowners opt for pool covers to limit water access instead of fencing because it appears cheaper and more convenient, however, we don’t recommend this for a multitude of reasons.
The biggest issue with pool covers is that they simply aren’t an effective protective measure. If someone were to fall onto it, the cover can easily sink into the water and tangle around that person, making it nearly impossible to get them out in a timely manner.
Fences, however, serve as a barrier to keep your child away from the water so they can’t get close to it in the first place. You can also select models of fences that come with self-latching gates so that you don’t have to worry about whether you forgot to close it.
Final Thoughts on Pool Safety Tips for Parents
When getting a pool installed at your home, safety is a major priority. By using the tips outlined in this article, you can ensure everyone who comes to swim at your house has an excellent time and is safe doing so.
If you’re looking for someone to install a fence around your pool, Baby Barrier is perfect for the job. Our pool experts can advise you on the best products for your home and budget and are dedicated to keeping your family safe.
Contact us today for a free quote!
