It is summertime and one of the big stressors for many parents is water safety. Every year we hear the news stories about back yard drownings when small children fall into household pools. While tragic, there are many ways that you, as a homeowner, can ensure that your family and neighbors remain safe during this pool season.
To start, fencing is your first line of defense against a child sneaking into the pool area. Most towns require a self-latching fence to be around your pool. This fence can be only around the pool or it can be around the house. While self-latching is great, there are things that can prevent the fence from latching such as tall grass or if it is not opened with enough force to retract properly. If you have small children in your home or in your neighborhood, consider a locking gate and make sure to take the key out when not in use.
Perhaps you have a pre-existing fence around your home but prefer to add an extra layer around the pool, consider a baby-loc. The makers of Loop-Loc safety covers began producing a baby-loc gate. This gate is easily put in place for the summer and removed in the winter. A great way to ensure that the little ones won’t be able to get to the pool if they escape a back door.
If you have an above ground, be sure that the ladder is pulled up and locked so that a child cannot access the steps. If the ladder cannot be lifted and locked, then keep it out of the pool when not in use.
Many people ask me about pool alarms. I of course believe pool alarms have their place; however, the problem with such alarm is that the child is already in the water by the time the alarm sounds. If you or another adult are close by, that may be fine, but what if your little one escapes while you are down in the laundry room, or drying your hair? The alarm is going off and you are minutes away and may not even hear it depending on the insulation in your home. An alternative that I suggest when someone suggests this? Head to your local hardware store and purchase door alarms. The alarms are usually easy to install and “ding” when the door moves away from its frame allowing you to catch that little one before he or she even leaves the house.
Another great safety feature that people do not always consider is adding a sliding lock to the top of your doors leading outside. A lock high enough out of reach from your child could save his or her life.
For those that are looking for higher end products, consider a safety cover. A safety cover is a retractable pool cover that covers the surface of the pool when not in use. Then retract underneath the coping or deck when not enjoying the pool.
So now you have covered those times when your child should not be near the pool, but what about when you are actively using the pool. Consider these guidelines for the safety of all your swimmers:
1. Never leave a child unattended in a pool, even if they are good swimmers, there is safety in numbers;
2. Put those cell phones down. Studies have shown there is an increase in children drowning, and near drownings, due to supervisors playing on tablets and phones;
3. Children who are not strong swimmers should be in a flotation device unless an adult is present in the pool;
4. Maintain proper water chemistry in the pool and if you cannot see the bottom of the pool, keep everyone out;
5. Enforce rules like no diving in the shallow end and making sure everyone is out of the way when jumping;
6. Be cautious of hidden dangers such as hoses or toys on the deck;
7. Don’t let repairs go, a cracked deck or stone can become a danger for tripping; and,
8. Know CPR and have a phone handy in case of emergency.
Swimming pools are a great addition to a homeowner’s backyard and can provide years of family fun and great memories, but with that comes big responsibility for both the safety of one’s family and neighbors. Here at Aquaknot, we are happy to help you find the right products for you in order to keep the fun in summer while keeping your little ones safe.
Katie Lenihan
Aquaknot Pools is a family owned swimming pool company with over 30 years’ experience with locations in Weymouth, Lakeville and coming soon to Natick. You can visit their website HERE
Weymouth
781.335.7705
55 Woodrock Rd
Weymouth, MA 02189
Lakeville
508.946.0563
54 Main St #1
Lakeville, MA 02347
