Are you one of the lucky ones who have a pool in your own house? As summer comes, cooling off in a pool is one of the fun outdoor activities that you can enjoy with the whole family. However, as a homeowner or a parent, one of your responsibilities is to take safety precautions. And, apply best practices to avoid any pool accidents. Swimming pool safety tips are especially important since 200 young children drown each year in their backyard pools. So to prepare for the summer, take note of these tips to ensure the safety of both your family and friends. And, at the same time enjoy a fun time in the pool.
Swimming Pool Safety Tips
- Install fencing with a locked entrance around the pool and deck area. This is important to prevent access at times when no one is present to supervise the children. You may also place self-closing and self-latching gates. Or, make sure inexperienced swimmers are accompanied by an expert swimmer who is equipped with water life-saving skills at all times.
- Insert a safety alarm in your gate or around the pool area to ensure that you will be notified if anyone enters the pool area. Or, use the pool without any supervision.
- Only allow diving in particular areas that are identified as safe for diving. Furthermore, make sure that the water depth and diving-restricted areas in the pool are visibly indicated.
- Also, ensure that sufficient life-saving equipment is present in the pool area; which includes: life preservers and a rope with life-saving rings, a reaching pole, or a rescue hook.
Pool Maintenance Tips
- Safely store chemicals far from the pool area. Stick to the instructions recommended by the pool chemical manufacturer when it comes to its storage and usage.
- Make sure to keep the chemicals away from the pool area and stored them in a safe place. Follow the usage as well as storage instructions recommended.
- Place electrical devices, including outdoor entertainment systems away from the pool area or wet surfaces. If you are going to use electrical devices outdoors, see to it that you use a GFCI. In addition, this is a ground-fault circuit interrupter as an outlet to prevent electrocution.
- Make sure that the pool area is free from glass bottles (regarding shards), toys, or other potential accident hazards.
- Routinely check the liner for any hidden rips and tears at the top of the lining. Investigate any indications of wear and tear. This is specifically in places where pipes or other items may have pierced the liner (e.g. skimmers, hoses, etc.).
- Also, if you own an above-ground pool, regularly check if there is rust or signs of deterioration on its metal supports. Since this may show the hazardous areas where the pool could break or could injure a person.
- Inspect the deck for any safety hazards like protruding nails, loose boards, etc.
- Ensure the structural integrity of the pool stair handrails and deck railing by inspecting them daily. This is to avoid any accidents from someone leaning or grabbing onto them.
For more useful and practical information, check the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (P&SS Act). This Act covers all outdoor and indoor structures intended for swimming or recreational bathing which includes in-ground and above-ground pools, hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, and non-portable wading pools.
Why is insurance necessary? Due to the unexpected nature of life! Avoid being caught without defense. The moment has come to ensure your family’s safety. It’s time to consult an insurance professional. For more information, contact here us at Team AIS in Denver, CO!