Now that summer has arrived, the thought of spending the day relaxing by the pool sounds mighty enticing. While swimming pools are a fun way to cool off, there are risks involved, especially when children are present. Swimming pool safety tips must be prioritized to ensure that everyone can have a fun and relaxing summer.
- Ensure that the pool area is properly secured: the pool area should be surrounded by a fence at least 4 feet tall, and should feature child proof locks and latches. The area should also be free of objects that could be used to aid children in climbing over the fence and entering the pool area without supervision.
- Make a habit of checking the water quality before diving in: proper chlorine and pH levels are essential to a safe swimming environment, as an unbalanced swimming pool can breed bacteria and algae. Pool test kits can be purchased at most home and garden supply stores.
- Ascertain that there is at least one strong swimmer present: while ideally everyone present can swim, it’s difficult to deny someone entry to the pool simply because he/she is not a strong swimmer. It is helpful to keep a “lifeguard” on duty in case anybody is in trouble.
- Place flotation devices at the pool’s edge and in the water: this is another idea to help out those who may not be the strongest of swimmers without making them feel like an impediment to the fun. But regardless of strategically placed flotation devices, always keep a keen eye on everyone near the water.
- Make a list of swimming pool safety rules that all swimmers must follow: this list should include things such as no running on the pool deck, no diving in the shallow end of the pool, no glass near or around the pool, etc. Personalize this list to fit your situation.
But most importantly, have fun knowing that all of your family and friends are safe. Happy swimming!
