Swimming is one of the healthiest and safest forms of recreation today. But with children, it is helpful to remember a few basic safety principles. You should never overlook these points.
When people, especially children, come into a swimming pool, a full explanation of the pool rules should be given before any activity around the swimming pool begins.
This helps prevent accidents and helps you earn the respect of your guests. Swimming in your pool should be considered a privilege. Be sure to point out slippery areas around the pool and all underwater steps and ledges.
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Protect Children From Drowning
The summer season is conducive to water games, especially for children. However, a simple moment of inattention on the part of the parents can turn into a tragedy.
Never Leave A Child Unsupervised In A Swimming Pool
When the kids are around a swimming pool, please keep your eyes on them! The idea is to designate an adult responsible for the safety or, better, to share the water games with the youngest.
Teach Children To Swim Early
Children can learn early to move quickly in the water, but if they have not yet reached this stage, equip them with armbands that comply with the safety standards.
Use a Ladder to Enter the Pool
Having a pool ladder is a vital safety measure; it makes the pool accessible to everyone and minimizes the risk of accidents. When getting a pool ladder, get one with the load capacity to hold everyone’s weight. Also, if you already have pool stairs installed, make sure they are stable; consider adding extra weights to the pool steps, so they are not floating when kids use them.
Have A Buoy, Pole, Or Phone Nearby
If there is a problem, you have to react quickly. If your pool is large, a buoy or pole can be helpful. Also, have your smartphone near you so you can quickly call 112 in an emergency. In addition, if you are not experienced in first aid, you can obtain the first aid training certificate (AFPS) to properly take care of a victim before the arrival of specialized services.
Equip Your Pool With Protection
There is nothing better than a swimming pool cover or enclosure to combine swimming and safety! Be careful to close the equipment properly after the games. Note that there are also protections specially designed for above-ground pools.
Store Pool Maintenance Products Out Of The Reach Of Children
The cleaning and maintenance of your swimming pool require the use of specific products. If they are adequate for your swimming pool, they harm your children. Also, be sure to store them on high shelves, in a vertical position, and in their packaging that is always tightly closed.
26 Rules And Tips To Make Sure Everyone Stays Safe
Some may seem simple to you. They apply primarily to young children; some are a reminder for the older ones. It’s up to you to qualify them according to your maturity and the age of your children.
- Avoid swimming alone if a fall, slip, or another problem occurs.
- Do not run around the pool.
- Avoid dangerous games or dives.
- Avoid glass containers around the pool.
- Avoid sharp or sharp metal objects around the pool.
- No swimming (too) long distances underwater.
- Use pool games and toys with care.
- Always keep float toys and pool games out of the water after use. Kids have a natural tendency to want to reach them first.
- Swim from the edge to the bottom of the pool before diving for the first time. Dive only when and where it is safe to do so (not above swimmers and not in shallow water.)
- Children should not use the pool without adult supervision, and the adult must be a competent and safe swimmer. When parents of guest children are present, remind them they are also responsible for their supervision. The best way to protect them from drowning is to teach them to swim!
- No electric device or wire should be allowed near the pool.
- You should always keep a first aid kit near the pool.
- A list with emergency numbers should always be on hand and should include the nearest doctor, ambulance service, hospital, police, fire department, and rescue unit available.
- The pool deck/deck must be kept clean and free of debris. Dirty surfaces can become slippery and cause accidents.
- Be careful with inflatable toys and mattresses.
- Swimming pools are like driving; they do not mix well with alcohol and mind-altering substances. Keep intoxicated guests away from the pool.
- Give a meal time to digest before entering the pool. If you’re too tired, go to bed, not swim.
- Swimmers with open wounds or infections should not use the pool.
- Be careful not to overexpose yourself to the sun.
- Children, in particular, enjoy using snorkeling equipment and slides/toboggans. Supervise them properly and make sure there is no rowdiness. Allow jumps and dives only from the end of the diving board. Residential swimming pools are not designed for Olympic purposes; keep them simple in diving games.
- There should be a periodic schedule to monitor and verify the condition and safety of each appliance and equipment in the pool.
- Children should rest periodically to avoid too much exhaustion.
- Teach your children to learn to swim at the earliest possible age. Until they learn to swim well, equip them with armbands appropriate to their size and teach them to scream if they fall into the water. This dramatically increases the chances of being heard by someone to come to their aid.
- Learn the first aid gestures.
- Regularly check the latches and springs of your pool gate doors and the batteries of your pool alarm to ensure your pool is safe and secure. Check that the barriers are adequately closed or that you have put the tarpaulin or protective cover back on after a swimming pool session; there may be children you haven’t seen who are likely to be at the pool’s edge.
- 26 – ( Yes, we said 25, but it is worth remembering this last tip ) Private pools must be equipped with a safety device that complies with specific standards: pool enclosure, barrier, cover, and alarm sound. Admittedly, they will never replace an adult’s active and permanent supervision and more or less disfigure the general aesthetics of the swimming pool. But do we have a choice if we don’t want to find a child drowned in his swimming pool?
If you wish to have the safety and security of your installation and equipment checked or validated, call on a pool professional as a matter of priority.
