There are millions of pool owners across the US, particularly in the warmest states like Florida and California, and recent reports show that interest in pool ownership is on the rise. Many people love the idea of having their own private pool and aspire to make that dream a reality in the future, and it’s easy to see why.
Having your own pool comes with a lot of advantages. It’s great to be able to cool off in the summer months in your own backyard pool, without the need to head to the beach or visit a municipal pool instead. Pools let you have fun with your families, host pool parties, play games, and give you a fun way to exercise without having to pay for a gym membership too.
However, along with all the fun advantages, there are also plenty of big responsibilities that come along with owning a pool. Pools need to be looked after, they need to be maintained, and proper safety rules need to be established and followed by all members of the household to ensure that no accidents occur.
It’s important to remember that as well as being a lot of fun for all the family, pools can be dangerous too. Statistics show that there are 7,000 drowning deaths in the US each year, and over 80% of those deaths occur in residential pools or spas. Not only that, but children under the age of 15 are the most at risk, with drowning being the second highest cause of death in this age group.
This is why it’s so important to follow proper pool safety, and here are some tips and techniques for every pool owner to keep in mind.
Never Leave Children Unattended
This is perhaps the golden rule when it comes to pool safety for families, and it applies to residential pools, public pools, and any other kind of pool or body of water you come across; children always need to be supervised around water. Even if they know about the dangers and have a low risk of breaking the rules, they need to be looked after.
As stated above, drowning in pools is one of the most common causes of death in children, and even teens fall victim to this each and every year. Even leaving your kids unattended for a couple of minutes could prove disastrous, and only a single lapse in concentration could lead to terrible accidents occurring, so always keep an eye on your little ones.
Learn CPR
Nobody wants to imagine the worst-case scenario, but it’s much better to be prepared for any eventuality, rather than simply hoping for the best. If an incident does occur in which a child or someone else falls into the pool and inhales a lot of water, knowing CPR might help to save their life.
CPR classes run all the time at community centers, hospitals, and other locations, and with just a few hours of training, you can become CPR certified, ready to respond in emergency situations, and able to take effective, life-saving action for drowning victims. Remember that if an accident does occur, it might take a little while for paramedics to arrive on the scene. During that time, lives can be lost, but knowing CPR could make all the difference.
Make Sure Everyone Knows How To Swim
This one seems obvious, but there are many cases when children, in particular, might get into the water without much or any experience of swimming. This is especially common when kids who have pools at home invite their friends over to play. As a parent or guardian, you can’t assume that everyone who gets into your pool will be an experienced, accomplished swimmer.
It’s important for all children to know how to swim and be able to keep themselves afloat before stepping foot in the pool. Even if they stay around the shallow end, there’s always a risk that they might walk a little too far while playing with their pals or panic and suddenly find themselves submerged beneath the surface.
Gear Up
A responsible pool owner knows that you can’t just set-up a pool and leave it be. It requires regular maintenance, and there are various items and accessories you can get to enhance pool safety. Barriers, for example, can help to keep people, especially children, safe when the pool is not in use.
Covers are also very useful for preventing any accidents, and you can even find pool alarms that will alert you if anyone is entering your pool or accidentally slipped into it during the night. These items might just be the difference between life and death, so they’re definitely worth installing in and around your pool. Some states even make it a legal obligation to have a pool alarm.
Keep An Eye On The Weather
Pools are mostly enjoyed in summer when the sun is shining and the skies are clear, but storms can strike when you least expect it, so be sure to keep an eye on the forecast and take proper action if and when a storm comes along. Nobody should be in or around a pool when thunder and lightning are around, and you should stay out of the pool for at least 30 minutes after the storm has moved on, just in case.
Speaking of weather, it’s also wise to not forget the importance of sun protection while swimming around in the pool. Too often, people forget to apply sunscreen or stay hydrated on the warmest of days, and this can lead to sunburn, sunstroke, and other issues too. Ensure that waterproof sunscreen is applied before diving in and take breaks to drink some water while you swim.
Conclusion
Having a pool is a wonderful privilege and can be so much fun, but it’s important to never underestimate your responsibilities as a pool owner, not only for yourself but for everyone else who uses your pool. Keep these tips in mind and practice good pool safety to help everyone had a fun time with minimal risks.
