Having a swimming pool is a great addition to any type of home. It is often a good way to have fun with the whole family and friends. However, although owning a swimming can be fun, it also brings great responsibility, especially for homeowners who have young kids at home. To prevent pool injuries or accidental drowning deaths, it is important to take safety precautions.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends the installation of barriers to help prevent child drownings. Although barriers are not child-proof, they can still provide extra layers of protection to unsupervised children. It will give you extra time to locate your child before anything worse could happen.
Barriers that will help improve swimming pool safety include the following:
Pool Fences & Gates – It is recommended that you install only quality pool fences. When installing, your fence should be at least 4ft high and must not have hand or footholds that could help smaller kids to climb over it. Your fence slats should be less than 4 inches apart to prevent smaller children from squeezing through. Additionally, your pool gates should be self-latching and self-closing. The latch should be out of your child’s reach.
Pool Safety Covers – Using pool covers can be a good alternative to door alarms. Use pool covers that meet the standard performance requirements. They should be able to withstand the weight of 2 adults and a child to allow a rescue. It should also allow quick removal of water.
Door Alarms – The doors leading from your house to the pool should be protected with alarms. Door alarms should be able to alert you when a door is unexpectedly opened. There are alarms that could be turned off using a switch or a keypad. You have to make sure these alarms are out of your child’s reach.
The above-mentioned barriers when properly installed can provide parents with peace of mind and improve the level of security for children under 5 years. Keep in mind that although swimming is enjoyable and relaxing, you should always prioritize the safety of your little ones. Taking pool safety for granted is never a good idea. Considering the installation of pool safety covers, alarms, pool fences and gates will make your pool a fun place to hang out, not a dangerous one.
Pool Safety Tips Resource: