Swimming is one of the most popular activities during summer weather, and many choose to purchase a home swimming pool as it can bring years of family fun and could serve as permanent improvement to your property. Keep in mind, however, that each year thousands of American families confront tragedies at the swimming pool. BBB reminds owners to make safety a priority when planning and using a swimming pool.
“About one in five people who die from drowning are children younger than 14 years of age; for every child who dies from drowning, another five receive emergency department care for nonfatal submersion injuries”, said Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas. “That’s why it’s so important for pool owners to take proactive measures to ensure a fun and safe swimming pool experience this summer.”
Better Business Bureau and the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) provide the following tips to stay safe this summer around pools:
- A responsible adult always should be present to keep an eye on children in or near a pool. Stay within arm’s reach of young children. A child can drown in silence and in seconds.
- Remove toys from in and around the swimming pool when not in use. Toys can attract children to the pool.
- Keep children away from pool drains and pipes to avoid injuries and drowning.
- If a child is missing, always check the pool first if they have had access to it.
- Learn and practice water safety skills.Everyone in the home should be taught how to respond to aquatic emergencies.
- Learn how to swim and teach children how to swim.
- Glass and other materials that can break or shatter should not be permitted in or around the pool.
- Establish and enforce rules and safety behaviors such as “no diving,”“no running,”and “don’t swim alone.”
- Learn to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) on people of all ages, and keep those skills updated regularly.
- Keep a cell phone close by when using the pool, in case emergency services needs to be contacted.
- Have and utilize all the appropriate equipment.
- A self-closing gate with a latch accessible only to older children and adults is a wise safety precaution.
- Pool decks should be constructed or treated with slip-resistant materials and made “off limits”for running.
- Consider installing a pool alarm that goes off when anyone enters the pool.
- Install pool covers and make sure they are in good working order.
- Ensure pools have compliant drain covers; ask your pool service provider if you are unsure.
- Create a pool safety kit and always keep it accessible.
CPSC recommends that you create a pool safety toolkit to have near your pool to ensure that if the worst happens, you are ready to respond. CPSC suggests that your kit include:
- An emergency first aid kit;
- Flotation devices;
- A pair of scissors—This will allow you to cut hair, clothing or a pool cover, when needed.