Most people don’t know this but more kids, between the ages of 1 and 4, die from drowning than any other cause of death.  Literally thousands of people drown each year.  Most of these accidents happened in a personal residence swimming pool or spa.  So how safe is your pool?

 

Everyone with a pool or spa of any depth or size should take steps to keep their loved ones safe.  Keep in mind it takes less than five minutes to drown in only two inches of water and make no sound at all.  That can be scary to think of.

 

Some things you may want to consider to keep everyone you care about safe are:

 

• Take CPR and First Aid training course.  Many local American Red Cross chapters offer these classes at little or no cost.  They will benefit you for a lifetime.
• Add a fence around your pool.  Physical barriers that completely surround you pool with a self-latching gate helps prevent access by small children.
• Put an alarm on any doors that lead to the pool.  This comes in handy for busy moms and dads to let them know that a child has gone out to the pool area.
• Keep a life preserver near the pool.  Just in case you have non-swimmers around the pool when an accident occurs, a life preserver is very necessary.
• Make sure steps and ladders are secured in place.
• Consider getting rid of your diving board if you have one.  This one feature leads to hundreds of thousands of injuries each year.
• Explain to your children the importance of not running around the pool or pushing and shoving.
• Never let anyone on drugs or alcohol, enter the pool or pool area.
• Never leave floats or toys in a pool that will attract children.  Children will usually try to get the item and fall in when they reach for it.

 

I hope these tips help keep you and your family safe in your homes swimming pool for many years to come.  And if you’re looking to buy a home with a swimming pool, contact me.  I will help you find the right house with the right pool.