Summer is here and so are the pool parties. Many children drown or are injured in residential pools every year. You can help prevent this trend by implementing a good set of safety rules. Some of us may think it sounds rude to lay down some ground rules for pool guests, but the cost of a liability lawsuit would be much worse. When you are explaining the safety, rules remind your guests that their safety is important to you and want them to continue to have fun following the rules make it better for everyone. All parents should review the rules with children even if you don’t have a pool in your backyard.
The following are some helpful tips to keep strong pool and spa rule during all your summer get togethers.
- Specify all requirements. This should be the most crucial step. Decide who can go in the pool and at what time. An example of this is, children should have specific blocks of times when they are allowed in the pool and they should not go in the water unless an adult is present. Remind children is it dangerous to run. Explain that they could slip, fall into the pool and possibly drown if they were to run around the pool. Discourage horseplay or rough water games. Children who can’t get along in the pool should understand that there will be consequences. They should also understand that it is important to stay away from the drains and filters.
- You should always have an emergency plan. Even if you have strict rules set, pool accidents may still happen. It is important to know what to do. Always have a phone near the pool. If an accident does happen, it will be easier for someone to call 911. Adult supervisors should learn how to perform CPR. The Red Cross offer low-cost classes and your local hospital or health clinic may offer a free class. Make sure children know how to dial 911 and they should know the address of the pool, so they can tell the emergency response teams.
- Teach children how to swim. Even though toddlers may not be up for actual swimming lessons, it is a good idea to put them in the water with floating pool toys. Do not leave children alone while they are in the water. When children are old enough for swimming lessons, enroll them in a beginner course and let them continue to complete all the courses. Adults who have never taken a swimming class should also learn how to swim. As a backup, it is important to have a life-saving float raft attached to a rope or pole near the pool.
- Keep the pool area safe. When you are not using your pool, make sure it is covered. You should purchase a pool cover, never use a tarp. Some nets work well as pool covers, but they can become weathered over time, so be sure to replace them every few years. Nets can also be easy for children to remove. Your best choice for a cover is a durable one with a lock mechanism. You should also have a fence around your pool. The fence should stand at least four feet high. If your home is used as a side to enclose your pool, install a door alarm. This will alert adults when children enter the pool area. It is also help to install underwater alarms or surface wave alarms. If you do not deactivate these alarms, they will go off when a child enters the pool.
Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide, accounting for 7% of all injury-related deaths. If a child is missing, check the pool area first. This is something that no parent
wants to dwell on. Children should always be supervised by an adult while they are in the pool. Accidents happen in a second and children can start to drown in less than a minute.
Be sure to check drain covers often and make sure they are compliant with current regulations. A pool service company can provide updated regulations. Remember also to keep gates locked around pool areas. A homeowner may be liable for uninvited people who wander into an unlocked pool area and get injured.
We hope you have a wonderful summer and remember if you have any questions, R.C. Keller & Company can help with all your home and auto insurance needs. We have been protecting the families in Schaumburg and surrounding areas since 1910.