A backyard pool provides hours of fun and exercise for children of all ages. Unfortunately, it can also be a place ripe for the occurrence of a tragedy. Every day across the nation, two children under the age of 14 lose their lives by drowning in a backyard pool. Anchor Pools & Spas has some tips for you to be sure children stay safe when they come to your home whether to swim or just hang out.
Tips for All Children of All Ages
- Never leave children alone for a second. You may think you have time to run to the bathroom, refresh your drink, or any number of things that briefly takes your eyes of swimmers. In those precious moments when you are not watching the children, one of them could drown. Even if children have had swimming lessons and have learned to swim to the side and hang on, you cannot trust that they will remember this when they suddenly start sinking in the water.
- Know the signs of drowning. Drowning children quietly bob up and down in the water. They do not shout because all they have time for when they bob to the top is to get a breath. They do not flail their arms because they are using them to try to push themselves up out of the water. Know these signs and watch the pool carefully so the risk of a child drowning at your pool is miniscule.
- Fence the pool. Whether you have an in-ground or above-ground pool, it should be surrounded with a fence at least four feet high. The fence should have a self-locking gate.
- Keep rescue gear handy. This should include a life-preserver and a shepherd’s hook (which is a long pole with a hook on the end). Also, keep your cell phone charged and nearby so you can call for help if necessary. If you use a landline, make sure that it can be plugged in near the pool if you use that instead of a cell phone.
- Learn CPR. You must be prepared to revive someone, adult or child, who has been pulled out of your swimming pool because it appeared, they were drowning.
- Remember floaties are not life preservers. Floaties are generally fragile and their air cannot be guaranteed to keep a child’s head above water.
- Remove toys from the pool after swimming. Toys in a pool are essentially an invitation for young swimmers to jump in.
For help in implementing these pool safety tips, and to make sure your pool is properly equipped for rescuing a bobbling swimmer, contact Anchor Pools & Spas.
