Backyard and community pools are popular with children and adults of all ages but owning or operating one is a major responsibility. Take every step possible to prevent unintended injuries in and around pools and spas.
Learn about the hazard of drain entrapment and what to look for at pools and spas your family frequents. Individuals in the 5-9 year-old category had the highest frequency of entrapment reports.
Supervise children at all times around pools and spas. Adults should keep a constant eye on all kids in the water. Emphasize the need for constant supervision to babysitters.
Install a four-sided barrier, such as a fence with self-closing gates completely surrounding the pool. If the house forms the fourth side of the barrier, install alarms on doors leading to the pool area to prevent children from wandering into the pool or spa. Also install safety covers and perimeter or in-water alarms as additional layers of protection.
Learn to Swim and teach your children to swim. Many organizations provide swimming lessons.
Know how to respond:
• Get training in basic water rescue skills, first aid, CPR
• Have rescue and first aid equipment available at the pool
• Keep a phone at the pool
If children will be attending your party, it’s essential to have adults supervising the pool festivities at all times. Consider contacting your local parks and recreation department to hire a professional lifeguard to monitor your pool. The most important rule of thumb is to have a few adults (and ones who are not consuming alcohol) be willing to watch the swimmers at all times. Have a phone on hand at all times in case of an emergency.
Make sure your pool’s depth is clearly marked so swimmers know whether or not it will be safe to dive. You may want to implement an overall no-diving rule for your party just to prevent any injuries.
Don’t forget to keep lots of water handy. Spending hours in the sun can lead to dehydration, but your guests may not notice as they’re immersed in water. It’s not a bad idea to set a swim break once an hour for people to relax and re-hydrate.
A Adult Supervision
Assign an adult to supervise children in and around the swimming pool and spa. This is needed whether there is one parent or guardian present or numerous adults present such as during a family event or party.
Maintain constant eye-to-eye supervision with children in and around the swimming pool and spa.
Remove children from the swimming pool and spa area for any distraction such as a telephone call, use of restroom, etc.
Issue the adult supervisor an item such as a whistle, bracelet, etc. to reinforce which adult is in charge of the safety of the children.
Floaties or other inflatable flotation devices are not life jackets and should never be substituted for adult supervision.
Maintain a clear view (no trees, bushes or other obstacles) from the home to the swimming pool and spa.
Ensure any adult responsible for the children know the emergency services telephone number and also your location address in the event emergency personnel are needed to be called to the scene.
B = Barriers
Have a fence enclosure that isolates your swimming pool and spa from the home, play areas, front and side yards and the neighbor’s yard.
Make sure all gates in the isolation fence are self-closing and self-latching.
Multiple layers of barriers isolating the pool and spa from children should be installed. In addition to an isolation fence, one or more of the following safety features can provide the additional protection necessary:
1. Approved swimming pool and spa safety cover
2. Approved swimming pool and spa alarm
3. Exit alarms on doors providing access to the swimming pool and spa
4. Keep all doors and windows leading to the swimming pool and spa area locked
5. Doors providing access to the swimming pool and spa equipped to be self-closing and self-latching with a release mechanism high enough to be out of the reach of a child.
6. The man-door from the garage should be self-closing and self-latching with a release mechanism high enough to be out of the reach of a child
7. Perimeter yard fence provided with a self-closing and self-latching gate
All chairs, tables, large toys or other objects that would allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or enable the child to climb over the isolation fence should be removed or kept inside the fenced area.
Learn how to perform Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).
See CPR Awareness Video on this website; or use the link on this website to the American Heart Association to sign-up for a CPR class or to purchase an at-home training kit.
Enroll your child in swimming lessons.
Details of French Law for swimming safety