While summer is a time for fun and sun outdoors, at least 200 children lose their lives in pools each year during this season. The Red Cross sponsors several campaigns and provides safety tips to help Americans keep themselves and their families safe around pools and hot tubs. Here are some vital tips to remember.
Secure the pool with barriers. Every pool should be surrounded by a sturdy fence that is at least four feet high. There should be a self-latching gate with a self-closing hinge. If these rules are not followed and a violation is discovered during an inspection, regardless of whether an incident occurred, the pool may be excluded from liability coverage.
Keep unused pools and spas covered. Use a hard cover or an approved pool net. Do not use a tarp or any type of covering that is not fitted by a professional. Many children drown each year when they climb on inadequate covers. Keeping the pool or hot tub covered also reduces the risk of mosquito problems. Be sure to remove any access ladders or steps that are not in use.
Install a pool alarm. There are several types of pool alarms, which go off whenever someone enters the pool or fenced pool area. Since it only takes a few minutes for tragedy to strike, these alarms are essential during summer when children are at home and cannot be visually supervised every minute. Spend some time researching the right alarm for your needs.
Supervise children. An adult should always be present when children are in the pool. If young children are swimming, stay in the pool or by the pool’s edge. As a rule, they should never be more than an arm’s reach away. For young kids who cannot swim safely, use life jackets approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Enroll family members in swimming lessons. Everyone in the home should know how to swim. Lessons should continue until an entire course is completed. The Red Cross provides swimming lessons in nearly every city. Adults may want to take first aid and CPR classes from the Red Cross to be prepared for emergencies.
Keep pools and hot tubs clean. Water should be changed when necessary. Use nets to remove bugs and leaves. Test pools and hot tubs for proper chemical balance. Check the filtration and circulation systems for proper function. Many children develop rashes, illnesses and ear infections from unsanitary pools and hot tubs.
Implement pool rules. It helps to post the rules in a visible place. Ask children to recite the rules each time before they use the pool and take away pool privileges if they break them. Here are some important rules to include:
- No dunking others
- No running
- No diving
- Stay away from drains
- No drinking pool water
- Swim with a buddy
- Use ladders safely
Be sure that teens know how to call for help if they are supervising younger siblings. Although an adult should always be present, it helps to teach kids how to call 911.
If an adult needs to perform CPR, a child could call 911, set the phone to speaker mode and help the adult talk to the operator to arrange for help. Learn more about pool safety as a preventive measure and speak to us about your insurance coverage for pool accidents.