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PROTECT CHILDREN
- Never leave your children unattended
around a swimming pool. This may seem obvious but accidents happen each year when caregivers leave kids for just a few seconds
to run inside and answer the phone or get the door.
- Keep a life hook and pole close by your pool. Most pool owners
do not own a life hook (shepherd hook) but they're mandatory at commercial pools..... and for good reason. It's also a good
idea to install a phone by your pool. Make sure it's for emergency use only and not used for recreational use as that may
cause a distraction while you're supposed to be watching your children.
- Put pool toys into a storage chest and away
from the pool when finished playing with them. Floating around in the water they attract inquisitive children.
- Teach
your kids how to swim and general pool safety tips. Being kids, you'll need to teach them the rules over and over and over
again. Somewhere between the time they're 2 and the time they're 20 they might start to retain some of your teachings. As
well, just because they know how to swim, don't assume they're safe. Experienced swimmers drown too.
- Learn CPR. Absolutely
all parents should learn it, but even older kids in the house should be trained in CPR. Don't forget that to survive a submersion
accident you first have to rescue the child then start the breathing process.
- Don't forget your babysitter's. If
you leave your children with other people, be they relatives or paid sitters, make sure they have been instructed on basic
pool safety at your house. Try to get people who are CPR trained and excellent swimmers. Many accidents happen to children
when in the care of paid caregivers.
- Put a fence around your pool that meets or exceeds pool building codes. One
that completely separates the pool from the house. Make sure the openings are kept closed at all times when the pool is not
in use. DO YOU KNOW THAT EXPERTS ESTIMATE THAT WIDESPREAD USE OF POOL FENCES WOULD REDUCE POOL DROWNINGS BY 50-90%.
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Place alarms on all windows and doors that lead to your pool. These are especially important at places where your house forms
part of the pools barrier. Alarms should be mounted 54" or higher from the ground and be the type that can be turned ON and
OFF by an adult as they enter or exit the door.
- If you have an above ground pool or spa, remove the ladders or steps
to prevent kids from climbing up and falling in. For spa's with covers, secure the openings with locks to keep the lid from
being raised.
- At parties or family gatherings, post "guards" to keep a close eye on the pool. Those selected should
be adults and instructed to watch the pool constantly. Rotate "guards" so that they stay sharp and so that all guests can
enjoy the festivities. Make sure the "guards" don't become preoccupied.
- If you can't find your kid check the pool
first. Seconds matter in drowning prevention so the pool should be the first place checked.
- Safety covers are an
option that you might consider. They're very popular in some parts of the country, mainly in areas with swim seasons. Places
such as Florida, parts of Texas Arizona and California may not see as many in use. However, good covers add a definite layer
of safety unmatched by most other products.
- Don't assume that your kid will thrash around and make all sorts of noise
if they fall in the pool. Adults may put up a fight a splash a bit before they go under, kids rarely do. Drowning is called
a "silent killer" because kids usually slip under water quickly and simply can't get back above water.
- Do you know
that over 30% of children injured in a pool are injured at someone elses pool? That means that when you send your kids off
to their friends house or to Aunt Rose's for the day, you'd better take the time to make sure their pool is as safe as yours.
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Of all age groups, children 1-4 have the highest drowning rate. If you have children in this group be aware of this stastistic.
As well, be aware that most pool drownings of preschool age children happened when one or both parents were at home with the
child and performing routine household chores.
- Motion-activated alarms are a great tool for many pool owners. Properly
installed and maintained, they can alert you when anyone gets within a specific distance to your pool. Consider using one
in addition to your other layers of protection.
- Mark your pumps On/Off switch and make it obvious enough so that
anyone in the pool area knows how to shut it down in an emergency. In a suction emergency, shutting the pump off immediately
is vital.
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WATCH OUT FOR
- Solar covers (like the blue, bubble-type)
offer NO protection against drowning and may even pose a threat. If a child falls or walks onto a solar cover they'll slip
right into the water while the cover slides back into place hiding the child. IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN BE AWARE OF THE HAZARD
THAT SOLAR COVERS POSE.
- Long hair and fingers can become trapped on conventional drain covers. Even some anti-vortex
covers can trap small fingers and entangle hair. CHECK OUT ANTI-ENTANGLEMENT, ANTI-ENTRAPMENT COVERS AND CONSIDER REPLACING
YOURS. If your children have long hair be especially aware of them if they come close to the main drain. You may even consider
making them wear a swimming cap.
- If your drain cover is broken, GET IT FIXED BEFORE ALLOWING CHILDREN TO SWIM. A
broken drain cover is an invitation to disaster.
- Check the temperature of your spa before using it. The maximum temperature
you should ever use on a spa is 104 F. Higher temperatures can lead to heat stroke or unconsciousness. CHILDREN SHOULD NOT
BE USING A HEATED SPA EVEN WHEN YOU ARE PRESENT. Their body does not regulate internal temperature as well as an adult's.
Pregnant women should NEVER use a heated spa as the heat can cause injury to their unborn child.
- If your above-ground
spa does not have dual drains get rid of it. The suction created with single drain systems are accidents waiting to happen.
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Keep tables, chairs and toy boxes away from the child protection fence. Adventurous kids will use anything at hand to climb
over a locked fence.
- Teach your children not to attempt to rescue a pet. If you have dogs or cats, consider getting
a pet ramp, a small device that clamps to the edge of your pool and allows pets to walk out.
- Glass has no place in
a pool area. Never allow kids or guests to bring any glass within 15 feet of the pool.
- It's great to listen to music
while swimming in your pool. Just keep the music system away from the pool area and all wet surfaces. All outside electrical
outlets should be protected by a GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupt) which kills the power when it senses a ground.
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It is NOT WISE to dive into most residential swimming pools. Most residential pools are 5-7 feet deep at their deepest. That's
not deep enough to ensure safety when diving. Teach your children not to dive into the pool and insist that all guests follow
the rules as well.
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