“Swimming pools and other water activities can be a lot of fun but they can also be very dangerous.”

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children of age 1-4 years. Most kids with nonfatal drowning injuries need emergency room care.

“Every year nearly approx. 1000 drown due to adults’ carelessness. Most of them drown in home swimming pools.”

To keep your kids safe around the swimming pool, make sure that you follow these tips:

Sign-up for your child’s swimming lessons

The AAP advises that all children and parents must learn to swim. Basic water competency swim skills include the ability to enter the water, surface, turn around, propel oneself for at least 25 yards and then exit the water. Swimming classes can help your kids know the basic rules of the swimming pool and learn swimming preventive measures. Moreover, swimming classes can introduce your kids to water safety habits.

Teach your kids swimming pool rules

Teach your kids about water safety. Teach them to swim in designated swimming areas where an adult is there to watch them. Be sure your kids are aware of the following swimming rules:

• No swimming without adult supervision
• No running around the swimming pool
• No diving in the shallow end of the pool
• No pulling other kids into the water
• No pushing people in

Tell them about lifeguard jackets and make sure that your kids wear lifeguard jackets before going swimming.

Don’t rely on water wings completely

Don’t assume that if a child knows how to swim, there is no danger.

According to the AAP, kids and non-swimmers must wear a life jacket when they are around a swimming pool and during swimming. Life jackets are for protection but relying completely on them is a big no, no. When your kids are in a pool, they need undivided attention. Your kids must be in one arm reach so that you can quickly reach to them in case of emergency. If you need to leave a pool area for some work, make sure to take your kid with you.

Fence your pool

Did you know?

“The risk of drowning or near drowning in a fenced pool compared to an unfenced pool is 0.27.”

If you have a large pool at your home, make sure to cover it with a proper fence. Fence offers an extra layer of protection to isolate your backyard from the pool. Your pool fence should be at least 4 feet tall and must have a self-closing and self-latching gate. You can also install a motion sensor to alert you if your child gets near the pool in your absence. For safety around the pool, you can trust Life Saver Pool Fence! For the last 30 years, we have proven to save the lives of many people. We are recommended and approved by local and national governments around the world to provide the premium layer of protection against toddler drowning.

Have an emergency plan in place

Conducting CPR –instead of waiting for emergency responders—can make the difference between life and death in drowning cases. All parents should enroll in CPR classes. Find a CPR class near your home and sign up for it. You can find a class through a community center or hospital, or via the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross.

Watch out for drains

Don’t allow your kids to play or sit near pool drains. Their hair or body parts can get trapped by the strong suction of drains. To prevent entrapment, you can install specially designed drain covers and safety vacuum release systems. Install at least two main drains and suctions to lessen the suction so it cannot pull and hold a human body. For more protection, make sure that the main drains are topped with anti-vortex covers. Anti-vortex covers have a grid of closely spaced holes or slits to make sure a person’s hair and appendages will not get caught in the suction.

Keep a safety gear in reach

Keep your phone and any equipment approved by the U.S. Coast Guard such as a lifebuoy, life jacket  as a reach tool near the pool. This will help you reach out to emergency medical responders if anything happens.

Of all the tip mentioned above, adult supervision is the most important to keep your kids safe. Lay down your phone and play with your kids. Everyone will have a great time!