When summer swings round to your part of the world it means a dip in the pool and also it is a kid’s right of passage to plunge into the home pool. Yes, it’s fun – but for some there is going to be heartache with the loss, by drowning, of a loved one, especially a child – that, perhaps is the most hard-hitting. Australia, a nation which enjoys a high portion of home swimming pools also has a high record in toddler and child drowning. Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State holds highest toddler drowning record in the nation.
This is not good and legislation is at hand to tighten up the already nation-wide tough pool safety regulations. It can be prevented. Prevented by strict adherence to good Child Pool Safety tips. Child Pool Safety Tips are everywhere, but with the warmth, the fun and that cool, inviting water, it becomes so easy to ignore them. Owning a home pool brings responsibility and in a lot of cases, changes to house and the backyard. Let’s have a look at some Child Pool Safety tips and make your summer hassle and tragedy-free.
1. CHILD POOL SAFETY – EDUCATE.
Teach your child to swim and learn about water safety – there are swimming classes and talks about safety available from the municipal swimming pool operators. They’re trained in child pool safety.
2. CHILD POOL SAFETY – IN SIGHT, PLEASE
Ensure that the pool can be seen from a designated family are, ideally it should have a doorway leading to the yard for quick access. If you are building the house, this needs to be addressed. For those with an already established house and pool, then you’ll need a Home Safety Camera. These are many and varied and your swimming pool supplier can help you decide on the best one. Just as a navigation aid is a valuable tool to motorists, a pool safety camera is integral for child pool safety. The camera should be placed in the room where there is access to the yard.
3. PLEASE FENCE ME IN
In some countries – like Australia – fencing a pool is mandatory. Where it is not required by law, then common sense should prevail and pool owners should endeavour to erect one. Ideally it should be about four feet (approx 122cms) and lockable. There are plenty of attractive styles to choose from – your home hardware store can help here. Oh! Most reputable insurance companies demand that you have a fence. Ideally, an alarm should be fitted so that if someone opens the gate, you’ll know. The responsibility for child pool safety is yours.
4. CHILD POOL SAFETY SIGNS:
You have the pool. It is a magnet for your friends and neighbours and their children. You will need to let the pool users know that as well as being a fun part of the yard, it is also a drowning hazard. Preferably it is best to have them posted every 15-20 feet and please have one erected at the gate to your pool. Again, check with your pool supplier or home hardware store for appropriate safety rules, and what to do In An Emergency, signage.
5. DEPTH
As with municipal swimming pools there is a deep and shallow end. The same should apply to your home pool. It should be shallow enough for the smaller child to be able to stand up with his or head well above the water; as an added child pool safety tip, ensure you should emphasize and have a sign telling swimmers not to dive into the shallow end.
6. CHEMICALS:
You want to keep your pool sparkling clean and germ-free so of course, you’re going to need chemicals to keep it so. Chemicals – a good aide – can also be nasty little things causing burns, blindness and even death. To ensure this does not happen, be very careful even to the point of fussiness of child pool safety and safety from harmful chemicals, so:
a. Maintain the correct balance, and
b. Keep The Chemicals LOCKED AWAY.
7. FLOATERS:
Keep these on hand and ready to throw into the pool at all times, a struggling swimmer will need one to grab on to.
8. DIAL EMERGENCIES:
If you can, install a phone close at hand, ready to dial the emergency number for example 911. Please don’t use a cell/mobile phone unless it is emergency number capable. Most of them are today.
9. FILTERS:
A must, and please, have a filter fitted that is capable of pulling water from the top – use of a leaf finder is helpful – and not from the bottom – this is a trap for the kids and can suck a small child down to drown. Child pool safety has to be foremost in all pool owners’ minds at all times.
10. LET THERE BE LIGHT:
Night swimming is fun and dangerous. Ensure the pool is well lit, especially for night swimming – no dark places, please. If you can’t see you can’t save. Children are prone to sneak out of the house for a duck in the pool – s, so tempting. Child pool safety for the kiddies going on a moonlight swim is paramount at this time. Remember child pool safety, so, Let there be light.
11. GLASS AND OTHER SHARP NASTIES:
Child pool safety- well any safety means no hazards in or around the pool – especially breakable glass. Make sure any receptacles are either plastic or other non-hazardous material.
12. HORSEPLAY.
By horseplay I mean rough stuff, such as wrestling poolside, pushing or throwing someone in (It was fun at the time, but my brothers and I almost drowned – many times, because of this) Child pool safety was not practiced by us then.
13. OLD SOL CAN BE CRUEL
Poolside Fun on Sunday – you’re sore as heck on Monday. So be aware and keep discomfort and possible melanomas at bay with a good sunscreen – SPF 30 or higher. A big must if you are planning to spend more than fifteen minutes in the pool. Another child pool safety tip – and adult too – to preserve health.
14. THE LIFEGUARD.
Use the pool only when a trained person is available – preferably someone responsible over 16 years. Ensure the person designate and other pool users know who’s in charge. Please make sure that person is well versed in child pool safety. You know, it’s perfectly normal to be uneasy about your child’s safety not only in the pool, but other places. Sure, there’ll be accidents and sickness,
If that’s all – well, that’s fortunate. At the risk of portending doom and gloom, there are going to be little ones who drown, due to lack of child pool safety. You don’t want to be one of those statistics. Go, seek help from all agencies. Make sure child pool safety is top of the list – and have a good swimming summer.
15. CPR! CPR! CPR! – Learn it.
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