Be Pool Wise – Practice Pool Safety
Owning a pool or spa is both a pleasure and a responsibility and an ounce of prevention is essential when it comes to pool safety. Apart from the importance of ensuring proper sun protection with a high number SPF sunscreen and teaching children a healthy respect for the water and providing swimming instruction at an early age, here are some tips to ensure your pool is a safe haven for both you and your guests.
Pool Safety Tips
- Build a secure fence around your pool, local by-laws will specify height requirements. Ensure that all access gates and doors have child-proof closures and are self-locking.
- Establish pool rules to include things such as:
- No swimming without an adult
- Always “swim with a buddy" who can provide assistance in the event of an emergency
- No running on the pool deck
- Feet-first only entry to the shallow end
- No glass containers around the pool
- Keep deck clear of toys and debris
- Appoint a "designated adult" to supervise children in the pool at all times. Never take your eye off swimmers for a moment, no amount of safety equipment is a substitute for good supervision.
- Ensure that all non-swimmers wear a personal flotation device.
- Only allow diving in the deep end of the pool.
- Never allow anyone under the influence of alcohol or drugs to use the pool.
- Avoid using the pool during an electrical storm.
- Cover your pool and/or spa with a safety cover if you plan to be away.
- Consider installing an in-pool alarm that will send out an alert if something falls into the pool unexpectedly. Door alarms are also effective if you have small children.
- Keep a lifesaving ring, pool rescue hook and well-maintained first aid kit near your pool and make sure there is a telephone in close proximity.
- Store pool chemicals in an area that is away from children and pets.
