Start With Basic Barriers
The barrier that surrounds your pool is the best line of defense for pool safety. A pool fence should be at least four feet tall, non-climbable, with self-closing, self-latching gates, and latches that are above the reach of children. Be sure you have the right type of inground pool fencing.
The best pool fence will completely separate the pool from the house. Consider pool barriers that have no handholds or footholds, since these can be used by a child to climb over the fence. In addition to pool fencing, safety covers can also be used as an effective barrier for inground pools and spas.
Prepare For The Worst Hope For The Best
Sometimes we dont realize what our kids are capable of until they actually do itand that includes cruising toward the pool and flopping in the second we turn our backs. Prepare for your childs undaunted courage phase with multiple levels of pool safety alarms and equipment.
Sign your child up for an infant self rescue course to teach them how to float in water should they ever accidentally fall in. This reduces the chance of them inhaling water while you rush to the rescue.
Make Sure The Support Poles Always Provide Adequate Tension
Support poles are designed to give a pool safety fence both tension and strength. The most important thing to remember is that the less farther apart the support poles are, the stronger the amount of tension there will be. Its recommended that there should be no less than 30 inches of distance between support poles.
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How Do You Kid Proof A Pool
It can be tricky to child-proof a pool the best way to practise pool safety is to back up your main protective features with a secondary or even tertiary safety measure. This way, you can have confidence in the safety of your child.
You cant rely on hearing a drowning incident, as they are more often than not silent, which is why vigilance is critical. Alongside being on high alert, pool rules and swimming lessons are also a great idea these should be implemented as early as possible.
Water Safety For Young Children
Drowning is the second most common cause of death for children under 5 years of age in Canada. Children can drown in as little as 2.5 cm of water.
Many of these tragedies happen in backyard pools, and almost always in pools without 4-side pool fencing and self-closing, self-latching safety gates. For rural and remote living children, lakes and rivers serve as transportation routes as well as sources of recreation. Regardless of whether found in nature or a in a backyard, caution needs to be practiced around water.
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Tips To Child Proof Your Pool For Summer
There is nothing more refreshing on a hot day than taking a dip in the pool. Pools can provide hours of entertainment for kids of all ages, but they can also be dangerous if not appropriately childproofed.
So, how do you childproof a pool? Thankfully, there are a few simple steps you can take to make your pool safe for your little ones.
Check out these tips to learn about pool safety for kids and keep your little ones safe this summer.
General Tips For Pool And Baby Safety
- Always lock doors in your home that lead to a pool, even if you have alarms on them.
- Remember that pool alarms are never a replacement for adult supervision or a pool safety fence.
- Never prop open the gate to your pool fence.
- Use a removable pool ladder, so children dont try to climb it and fall in.
- When thinking about how to babyproof a pool, consider having all caregivers and adult family members take an infant and adult CPR class.
- Teach young children how to swim early on by a certified teacher.
- Go over pool rules before children get into unfamiliar pools.
- Teach children about pool safety, like no running around a pool.
- Keep towels and pool toys off poolside decks where they can be tripped over.
- Remove pool toys and floating devices from the pool when its not in use. This will discourage children from going into the pool to get them.
- Dont underestimate adult supervision. Never take your eyes off children in the water. Have adults take shifts so someone is always with the kids, and everyone can relax.
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Swimming Pool Child Safety Danger Statistics And Facts
While its challenging to think about, there are dangers to be aware of when planning to babyproof an above-ground pool. Keep these numbers in mind as you get to work.
- The CDC estimates that year over year, close to 4,000 people will die by drowning. Over 8,000 nonfatal drownings will occur that lead to brain damage, disabilities, and long-term health concerns.
- Of those numbers, children between the ages of 1- and 4-years are most likely to drown. Most children who drown do so in swimming pools, though children can drown in less than 2 inches of water.
- After car accidents, drowning is the second-leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1- and 14-years.
- Installation of a proper pool fence has been shown to lower the risk of pool injuries and drowning of children by up to 50%.
Tips For Above Ground Pool Safety
Some people think above ground pools are safer than inground pools because theyre higher off the ground, and small children have a difficult time getting into them.
While this may true, and above ground pools are generally not as deep, it is still water, and safety is still a concern. Did you know that children can drown in less than two inches of water?
To help you keep family and friends safe this swim season, lets look at some tips for above ground pool safety.
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Colors On Your Screen Or Brochure May Not Match The Actual Color Of Your Product
Due to the many variations in monitors, phones, and browsers, color samples and product examples may appear different on different screens. Computers and mobile devices are not all calibrated equally and color reproduction on the Internet is not precise. The same is true for printed items such as brochures and other sales literature.
In addition, the colors of our products photograph differently under different lighting conditions. For example, photos taken in full sunlight will vary from photos taken on a cloudy or overcast day. Similarly, shadows from nearby objects can affect the color and transparency of our products. If a precise color or specific shade is important, please inspect the actual color of your product prior to installation.
Don’t Leave Toys In The Pool Area Or Use Chemical Dispensers That Look Like Toys
Your child might run after a ball, for example, and trip. “I remember a 2-year-old who rode his tricycle into the pool area and fell off into the water,” says Rohit Shenoi, MD, an emergency-room physician at Texas Children’s Hospital, in Houston.
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Have A Removal Safety Fence Installed
This is perhaps one of the easiest ways to childproof any swimming pool, as this type of fence provides a barrier that keeps children from getting too close to the pool itself. The removal safety fence is designed to essentially isolate the pool from a home, thereby preventing access to the pool. These fences are generally made out of a polyester mesh material and are supported by aluminum poles.
Get A Above Ground Pool Alarm
Okay so this one is unique and intriguing and truth be told not something I have tested personally. That said the idea was given to us by one of our contributors.
Most of the commercial pool alarms available is floating devices that will pick up any movement inside stationary water. These alarms are nonintrusive and wont damage the lining of your above ground poo.
In fact, they would be suitable for all types of pools.
A word of cation, however, is that this should not be used as the primary child-proofing mechanism for your above ground pool.
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Install A Safety Cover
If you have a permanent pool, its important to invest in a pool safety cover. These covers are designed specifically for pools and will keep your children safe when theyre not swimming by preventing them from falling into the water accidentally.
Not only that, but these types of covers also help prevent debris like leaves or dirt from getting into the pool, keeping it clean all season long!
Be Smart About Pool Services
When opening your pool for the season, hire a certified professional to check that the pools safety cover is working properly, the electrical components are up to snuff, and the fencing is solid, with self-closing and self-latching gates functioning a they should, says Alan Korn, executive director of Abbeys Hope Charitable Foundation, which works to prevent child drownings and encourage active supervision in and around water. Ask your service provider to check for and repair loose screws or rough edges that could catch bathing suits or hair and possibly trap swimmers. Its also criticaland required under the federal law the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Actto check for displaced or absent drain covers. An exposed pool drain can entrap a swimmer at the bottom of a pool or spa or literally suck the insides out of the body, says Korn. If you come across any pool or spa with an exposed hole at the bottom, alert the owner and keep everyone out of the water.
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Have Your Emergency Plan In Place
Knowing even basic CPR and acting immediatelyinstead of waiting for emergency responderscan make the difference between life and death in drowning cases or anytime a person’s heart stops. Round up a group of parents and sign up for CPR classes together, or order a CPR party kit to learn these skills at home. Buy an all-weather sign with CPR instructions to hang on the inside of your pool gate, and be sure to print your homes address on it in permanent marker in case anyone needs to call an ambulance. Even if a child doesnt need CPR after being submerged, having water in her lungs can still lead to serious trouble. Watch for coughing, lethargy, and rapid breathing, and if you have any questions, dont hesitate to ask your childs doctor, go to the emergency department, or call 911, says Dr. Smith.
Ways To Keep Small Children Safe Around Above Ground Pools
Royal Swimming Pools offers several products that are available for above ground pools that will help you keep your small children safe.
Because everyone wants to have a fun filled summer and that starts with safety.
Above Ground Swimming Pool Fence Kits and are an excellent way to help keep children and unwanted intruders out of your swimming pool.
We always recommend using a safety ladder with your deck.
Royal Swimming Pools offers a variety of safety ladders that will keep small children from climbing them when the pool isn’t being used for family fun. We have:
- Ladders that have a roll-guard feature that prevents unwanted access to your pool
- Ladders that have a spring loaded self closing gate.
- Ladders that the outer treads can be flipped up and locked with a padlock.
- Ladders that come with a self latching gate that is lockable for added safety.
We also offer a variety of pool alarms that are available for swimming pools and gates. Keep in mind that some states, like Tennessee, require by law for residential pools to have pool alarms. Look into your local laws to make sure you’re not subject to fines without one.
Pool alarms should never replace constant adult supervision around a swimming pool.
We hope that helps and that you are well on your way to a splash filled day of safe pool time! If you have additional questions, please let us know if the comments below.
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Additional Tips To Prevent Drowning:
- Never take your eyes off your kids when youre near a body of water , even if they know how to swim independently. Swim Safely suggests designating an adult Water Watcher to supervise children at all times around the water. Weve had moments on vacation where there was confusion over who was on duty watching the kids in the water be sure you are perfectly clear about whose turn it is!
- All parents and caregivers should learn CPR.
- While useful, floaties do not take the place of adult supervision in fact, they can provide a false sense of security for kiddos and parents, and do not prevent drowning accidents.
- When youre done swimming for the day, dont leave toys in the pool kids may jump in the pool when youre not looking to play with them.
- Make sure everyone in the family knows how to swim according to the American Academy of Pediatrics , participation in formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning death by 88%.
- Dont swim in a pool with broken or missing drain covers these can trap swimmers underwater teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes, and other openings to avoid entrapments.
- Always drain inflatable baby pools after each use.
- If you have a pool and dont know where your child is check the pool FIRST.
I hope this wasnt too scary! Between this and car seats, I swear #joykill!! I promise if you take the necessary precautions to keep your kids safe around water, you will sleep better at night.
Enjoy the summer!
Insist On Water Watchers
When everybodys watching, nobodys watching. Thats why safety organizations urge parents and caregivers to take turns being on official water-watching duty in group-swim situations. Dont just give the idea lip service you can be the one to get a rotation going. Wear a water watcher tag, then pass it to the next parent on duty. Keep one in your bag and pull it out when youre meeting up with friends at the public pool or beach, even when theres a lifeguard on duty. Wearing it reminds me and everyone else that Im on the job and they shouldnt even be talking to me,says Haderle, who started putting on a water-watcher lanyard after the pool-party incident last summer.
Its also important to know what a child in distress looks like. Kids drown silently and quickly, often when they are vertical in the water with their head tipped back. Unlike what you see in movies, a child rarely splashes, flails his arms, or yells for help. Being a good water watcher is like being a good lifeguard: You intervene when a kid may be even slightly in trouble so he doesn’t get to the point of drowning, says Linda Quan, M.D., professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington, in Seattle.
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Types Of Swimming Pool Rescue Equipment
Being prepared for a swimming accident can mean the difference between life and death. Keep this equipment on hand to facilitate a rescue. Get the whole family together and practice using the equipment so everyone knows what to do in a real emergency.
The American Red Cross offers a free online water safety course designed for parents and caregivers. Consider signing up for a CPR or lifeguard course too.
Securing Doors To Unsafe Rooms With Door Knob Covers
One of the first steps in childproofing your home involves making sure that your kids can’t get out of the house and can’t get into rooms that aren’t childproofed.
Door knob covers make it hard for little hands to get a grip, turn, and open doors. They should be placed on all of the doors leading out of your home and on bathroom doors. It is also a good idea to place them on closet doors and on the doors of any other room that you don’t want your child to get into.
Keep in mind that lever type door handles are much harder to childproof. Lever handle locks are available, but they can only be opened one-way, so are only really good for closets, etc.
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Protect Your Family From Drowning By Making It Nearly Impossible For Them To Enter The Pool Without Your Permission
- Add extra locks and latches to the exterior doors of your house, to prevent children from exiting the house without your knowledge.
- Tell children not to access the pool unattended. Ask older children to alert you if a younger child is in the pool area without supervision, or attempting to get into the pool.
- Even if you have a fence around your backyard, you are also required by the City of Austin building code to enclose your pool with a fence that is at least 4 feet high and has a self-latching gate. There are many different types of pool fences to choose from, including mesh, iron, and vinyl fencing.
- Install a cover for your pool as an additional layer to keep swimmers out. Popular covers include mesh covers, which can support the weight of a child, and motorized covers, which can be opened and closed easily after each use.
- A pool alarm can assist in detecting movement in a pool. Floating alarms, underwater alarms, and wristband alarms that children can wear are all available on the market. For any pool alarm, also plan to purchase a remote receiver so you can access the alarm inside your house with the doors closed.
- Set up door alarms and fence alarms to alert you when a door to your home or the gate to the pool fence has been opened.
- If you have an above-ground pool, remove the ladder when the pool is not in use.
ABCs Pool Services can help you child-proof your pool to ensure safety and fun all summer long.
