Having a pool means you’ll need to learn all you can about swimming safety. When you and your loved ones know what to do (and what not to do) in the pool, swim time will be safe and enjoyable. To properly practice water safety at home, here are a few things you should know.
Why Is Water Safety Important?
Water safety is essential because it could literally be the difference between life and death. When you know how to keep your loved ones safe in the pool, you can make swimming a safe and fun experience.
Remember, inflatable toys are not a substitute for life vests or jackets, even though you can float on inflatable items. Pay attention to your surroundings, so you won’t run into an edge or unintentionally go into the deep end of the pool. If you can’t swim or you are a novice swimmer, let a loved one know so that he or she will be near the pool any time you’re in the water.
Water Safety Tips for Parents
The area around the pool should be slip-resistant. This can keep small children from accidentally falling into the pool. Swimming lessons can make little ones feel more confident in the water as well. However, this does not mean you shouldn’t continue to supervise your children closely any time they’re in the pool. A child’s overall coordination and emotional development have a lot to do with how comfortable they are in the pool. However, it may still be best to get in the water with them. This is a must for infants, as well as toddlers who are still perfecting their coordination skills.
Be sure to remind your children constantly; running around the pool area is not allowed. They should also know not to push anyone in the pool. This could lead to serious water-related accidents. Make sure small bodies of water, like ponds or lakes, or buckets and pails of water are removed from your child’s eyesight. Kids are attracted to these things and could drown if they fall in. You and any adults supervising swimming children should also be CPR-certified in case there are any emergencies.
Aside from making sure your child has the right floating devices and equipment to stay safe in the water, you’ll also need to ensure the water is clean. There are several pathogens in pool water, even if the pool is chlorinated. Several viruses, bacteria, and protozoa could be lurking in the water. This is especially the case if lots of people use the pool often. It’s possible for children and adults to be exposed to viruses like Shigella, Norovirus and even E.coli. Keeping a clean pool is extremely important.
If swimmers who are infected with these or other viruses get into the pool, the toxins can be spread through skin, mucus, blood or saliva. If children swallow any amount of water containing these pathogens, they could get very sick. Cleaning solutions can be added to the water to cleanse it and help chlorine in the purification process.
When you’re ready to install your pool or add safety features to an existing pool, contact Skovish Pools & Spas. We are a premier Luzerne and Shickshinny pool builder in PA. We have a friendly, professional team and can answer all your questions. Our pool building team offers the best solutions for construction around the pool to keep the entire area safe. You’ll also be able to select styles that are both practical and modern. We also have the tips and suggestions that are best for keeping you safe in the water so you and your family can enjoy the pool for years to come.
