Be Pool Wise - Practice Pool Safety
Owning a pool is both a pleasure and a responsibility and an ounce of prevention is essential when it comes to pool safety. Here are a few tips to ensure your pool is a safe haven for both you and your guests.
- Teach children a healthy respect for the water and provide swimming instruction at an early age.
- Appoint a "designated adult" to supervise children in the pool at all times. No amount of safety equipment is a substitute for good supervision.
- Always swim with a "buddy" who can provide assistance in the event of an emergency.
- Ensure that all non-swimmers wear a personal flotation device.
- Never dive into the shallow end of a pool.
- Never allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to use the pool.
- Avoid using the pool during an electrical storm.
- Build a self-locking fence around your pool-local by-laws will specify height requirements.
- Cover your pool and/or spa with a safety cover if you plan to be away.
- Consider installing an in-pool alarm that will send out an alert if something falls into the pool unexpectedly. Door alarms are also effective if you have small children.
- Keep a lifesaving ring, pool rescue hook and well-maintained first aid kit near your pool and make sure there is a telephone in close proximity.
- Store pool chemicals in an area that is away from children and pets.