Summer Pool and Spa Safety Tips

Having a pool or spa in your backyard can be wonderful, providing fun for family and friends all summer long. It’s important to remember, though, that water and children can be a dangerous combination. In fact, among children between the ages of one and four, drowning is the leading cause of preventable death. Are you doing everything you can to make sure everyone in your pool or spa is staying safe? Brush up on your safety knowledge with these summer pool and spa safety tips.

• Adult supervision is a vital part of keeping kids safe around water. Children should never be left unattended when in or around the pool or spa, even for a few minutes. Whenever kids are near water, designate an adult “water watcher” to supervise them. This adult must be focused on watching the children, not distracted by reading or scrolling through his or her phone. The phone should be close at hand, though, in case it becomes necessary to call for help. Even though you’ve designated one adult to keep an eye on the children, and even if there’s a lifeguard, all parents and caregivers should consider themselves responsible for being vigilant. If you’re having a gathering at your house and a child is suddenly missing, always check the pool first. It only takes a moment for a little one to get into a dangerous situation.
• Have the right safety equipment available. Keep a shepherd’s crook or life ring near your pool, so that in an emergency, you can quickly pull someone from the water. Put up a rope or float line so that children can easily distinguish between the shallow and deep ends and have a visual cue to remind them not to go in too deep.
• Install barriers, covers, and alarms. A pool should always be surrounded by a fence that’s at least four feet tall. This fence should not be something that children can climb, and it must have a self-closing, self-latching gate. Adding an alarm can add an extra layer of security to a pool fence. Cover your spa and lock the cover so that children can’t get in on their own. Make sure your spa cover and pool cover are in good working order at all times. While you’re checking on all of these safety measures, make sure your pool chemicals are stored somewhere safe and secure as well.
• Teach children to keep themselves safe. Teach them how to swim, as this is an important life-saving skill as well as being a fun thing to do together. You don’t have to teach them on your own: your local YMCA, USA Swimming chapter, or Parks and Recreation Department probably offers free or low-cost swimming lessons for kids. It’s also important to teach them to respect both the water and the rules. Children should know better than to ever try to climb the pool fence or go swimming by themselves.
• Educate yourself as well. Learn CPR and keep your certification current. It’s easy to become certified because CPR classes are readily available at hospitals, community centers, and through the American Red Cross. With any luck, you’ll never have to use that CPR training, but it’s good to know you’ll be able to save a life if an emergency situation ever arises.
• Be aware of the dangers of drains. Most people are cognizant of the dangers of water, but many don’t think about drains. Unfortunately, drains and suction outlets, especially if they’re not properly installed or maintained, can cause suction entrapment that can lead to tragedy. Teach your children never to play near drains or suction openings or enter a pool or spa with a loose, broken, or missing drain cover. In your own pool, make sure you’ve properly installed certified covers, and check them periodically for damage.

As long as you follow some simple safety rules, having a place to play in the water in your own backyard can be wonderful for your family. If you’re ready to rev up your summer fun with a hot tub, swim spa, or swimming pool, call Aaron Pools. Established in 1972, this family-owned-and-operated business has a dedicated, award-winning team with over 400 years of combined experience. We love to help improve the quality time that families spend together at home, and that’s why we’ve installed more than 2,000 swimming pools and hot tubs, from Cape Cod to Connecticut. For the best possible service from our highly experienced installation team, call 508-689-5042 or contact us today.