Practice pool safety to prevent accidents from occurring while children are swimming.
Swimming pools and hot weather seem synonymous--but if proper safety precautions are not taken--a cool dip in the pool can turn deadly.
Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death in children--and according to National Safe Kids USA, as many as 20 percent of near-drowning survivors suffer severe, permanent neurological disability. Learn how to protect your child from drowning with these tips.
- Avoid letting children run, jump, ride bikes, skate, or partake in any type horseplay around the pool area.
- Don’t let children dive into the swimming pools.
- Never leave your child unsupervised in or near a pool--even if they know how to swim.
- Since children under the age of five are more likely to drown in swimming pools, adults should remain within arms-reach of them at all times.
- A self-closing, self-latching gate should surround the perimeter of the pool. The gate should be frequently checked for holes, weak-spots, and wear and tear on the lock.
- Pool covers should not be used as a substitute for gates.
- Don’t get distracted by doing things like talking on the telephone or reading magazines while your kids are in the pool.
- Learn how to perform CPR.
- Keep a phone in the swimming pool area just in case of an emergency.
- Provide constant adult supervision.
Swimming pools can be a great source of fun for children if you remember to put safety first.
For more tips on keeping your children safe read Backyard Safety for Kids, How to Keep Kids Safe at the Park and Protecting Kids from the Sun.
