July 2020 – Planning a ‘Stay-Cation’ This Summer? Don’t Disregard Pool Safety

If confusion surrounding the COVID-19 virus has you planning to spend your summer vacation in your own backyard, you’re not alone. Sales of above-ground pools and inflatable kiddie pools reportedly have skyrocketed since Memorial Day.

While your very own private backyard water oasis might seem like the perfect solution right now, there are risks involved and the statistics are sobering:

Only 2% of swimming accidents involving children occur at public pools or beaches while 65% take place in their own backyard and 33% happen at a friend or relative’s house.

Taking a few precautions and being diligent can help keep you and your family safe.

• Never leave children unattended in or around a pool.
• Teach your children to swim early.
• Assign a responsible adult – preferably one who can swim and knows CPR – to watch over water activities.
• Discourage running and horseplay on your pool deck – no pushing, dunking, or holding anyone under water.
• Prohibit diving in shallow pools.
• Teach children to stay away from pool drains and filters; use proper drain covers.
• Install a pool fence with a self-latching gate; check with your municipality for local requirements concerning fence dimensions and safety features.
• Install an alarm system on windows, doors, or fences providing access to your pool; consider a pool alarm that sounds when someone unexpectedly enters the water.
• Remove temporary pool ladders when not in use.
• Keep rescue and 1st aid equipment nearby.
• Have a waterproof phone handy to call for help in emergencies.
• Store chemicals safely away from the pool and out of reach.
• Remove all toys and floats – toddler temptations – from the pool after use.

Remember, as the property owner you are responsible for safety in and around your pool. To protect your family and friends from injury and yourself from liability, take the necessary safety precautions, set rules for your pool and enforce them.

Here’s to a healthy – and safe – summer!