How To Keep Your Pool Safe for Kids

Having a pool comes with a lot of responsibility. Although maintenance and upkeep are important, your number one concern should be safety. Taking all the necessary precautions to prevent an accident may seem like a chore, but a well-advised safety plan can prevent a major catastrophe. By taking a few preventive measures, you can learn how to ensure that your pool is safe for kids.

1. Establish ground rules. Convey to your children your expectations of their behavior. Establishing simple no running and no wrestling rules can go a long way to preventing an accident. Keep in mind that diving results in numerous neck, back, and spinal cord injuries every year.
2. Vigilance is the key to safety. It only takes a second for a major disaster to happen. Many poolside accidents involving kids happen when there are no adults present. Practicing touch supervision is good advice for adults with children under six years of age. If your toddler is more than an arm grab away, then they are too far.
3. Keep it gated, locked and covered. An open pool is a recipe for disaster. Installing a fence with a self-latching gate will keep out any unwanted bathers. Alarms placed on all pool entrances, this includes entrances leading from the house, are great tools for surveillance. Investing in a quality pool cover is also a pool safety must.
4. Have the equipment. All pools should be equipped with a fully stocked first aid kit. Flotation devices, including life jackets and life preservers, are always a safety must. A large pole, such as a shepherd's hook, as well as a poolside phone should be in easy reach.
5. Know the basics. Having a first aid kit, flotation devices, and accompanying rescue equipment may be great tools; but knowing how to properly use these tools is the key to keeping your pool safe for kids. Often times around a pool when an accident happens, the paramedics are too far away. Equipping yourself with a working knowledge of CPR, life saving techniques, and first aid can help stave off potential disasters.
6. Educate your kids. It is not enough if only you know the basics. Contact your local YMCA or swim clubs to find out about classes for your kids. They are never too young to learn the proper way to swim and be safe in a pool. These great skills will last a lifetime.
7. Stay aware. Because the pool provides a lot of fun and relaxation for both adults and kids, sometimes pool safety and vigilance get chucked out the window. When poolside, it is important to always keep in mind that a major accident is only a few seconds away. Respecting the pool area is a major step toward prevention.