Water Safety 101: Tips for an Enjoyable Summer Pool Season
Finally! It’s time to open the pool and get ready for the glorious summer season. But, having your own backyard oasis does come with some responsibilities. Here are some great tips to keep you, your family, and your friends safe around your swimming area this summer.
Hydration
A general statistic is that nearly 75% of Americans are dehydrated on a regular basis. Add in the heat of the sun around swimming pools and the activity associated with it, you’ll need even more hydration. Always make sure there are plenty of beverages available.
Children
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, drowning in open waters and pools ranks in the top three for leading causes of death with children aged up to 19. Drowning is the number one cause of death for children aged one to four. There’s no such thing as being too cautious when it comes to keeping children safe around pools.
- Adult supervision is vital anytime children are swimming, regardless of how well they can swim.
- It’s a good idea to have plenty of rafts and inflatables for the little ones that like to float.
- Kids like to experiment, and think that they’re invincible. You might have to remind them to use diving boards and slides only for their intended purpose.
- You could get your own certification for CPR. It could give you some peace of mind knowing you might be able to do something if the unthinkable happened.
Chemicals
You already know how important it is to keep the chemicals in the pool balanced. Not only does it keep it looking beautiful, it also keeps it safe from algae and other contaminants. Since it might not be safe to swim in after adding certain chemicals, you’ll always want to make sure that anyone using it is aware of the chemical schedule.
Sunscreen
Anytime that you are exposing your skin to direct sunlight, it’s a good idea to use sunscreen. Of course, it’s a pain to keep applying it. But, it’s protecting your skin from all sorts of damage from harmful UV rays, including cancer. And, you even need to be more vigilant with sunscreen around pools since the water will reflect the sun, making the UV rays that much stronger.
Running
This is another big nonnegotiable. It doesn’t matter what the surface of the deck is made of. Once it gets wet, it will be slippery. Running on a slippery deck is just an accident waiting to happen. And, the resulting fall can be life threatening, depending on the circumstances. Just make it a rule. No running! And, enforce it.
Glass
The problem with glass around swimming pools is that if it breaks and falls underwater, it’s practically invisible, creating a cutting hazard for anyone swimming. One broken glass on the pool’s deck could cause it to have to be drained to make sure there aren’t any pieces hiding on the bottom.
No Solo Swimming
Not only should you never swim alone, but you also make sure that nobody else does either. There are just too many things that can happen in a swimming pool. And, if you are alone, there’s no one to help. It’s not something that you really want to think about.
Protect Yourself From Liabilities
The safety of your property is your responsibility. Unfortunately, accidents can happen. And, if someone is injured while they’re on your property, you could be held financially responsible.
It’s also the insurance companies who usually initiate litigation, trying to recoup any expenses they covered due to the accident. Being able to prove that you have water safety rules in place could help you in the event of any lawsuits.
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