When the weather heats up, most people seek solace outdoors. It also gives them more reason to unwind and bond, most usually in pools, with the rest of the family. And I bet the same goes for you too.
Your weekends must have been filled with plans for recreational activities, including swimming, especially now that the kids are out of school for the summer. Although taking a refreshing dip in a pool is always one of the most popular leisure activities during summertime, it still has several safety concerns.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional injury death worldwide. To participate in water activities, you must be aware of the possible risks and hazards water may bring (read more). Drowning, in fact, often happens unnoticed. It may even take only a minute for a person to get fully submerged under water and make the consequences irreversible.
Nonetheless, no matter how dire these possible situations appear to be, they are often preventable. Swimming is fun and can be safe — as long as you know the basic water skills and safety precautions to avoid any incidents. Read on as we outline five pool safety tips you should follow to enjoy a safe summer escapade in the comfort of your home.
Never Swim Alone
Never leave a kid or your kid alone in the water, or even if you’re skilled in swimming, you must not go through yourself alone as well. There are certain situations that aren’t out of our reach that can lead to disastrous outcomes, and not having a buddy to save you in those times is a serious matter and vice versa.
From a minor injury, it can get worse if there’s no one to help you. Swimming alone can produce cramping, which can be caused by dehydration, electrolyte deficits, or fatigue. In these times, experiencing any unexpected incident without any person nearby will most likely make you panic. God forbid, it will make you drown without anyone knowing that you’re in trouble.
Teach Your Kids How To Swim Or Get Swimming Lessons
Age is one of the factors that causes drowning every year. On a daily basis, ten fatal drownings happen, mainly in children ages 1 to 4. No matter how shallow the water is, kids are always susceptible to this, keep in mind.
Hence, these young kids need to learn to adapt life-saving skills, especially in or around the water. Most kids tend to look confident when it comes to swimming, of course — they enjoy it, most of the time. But remember, confident kids, aren’t always that competent. Although swimming can be learned by experience, enrolling your child in swim lessons can help them master water skills at such a young age.
One study suggests that learning water survival skills and swim lessons can help reduce drowning risk factors. Also, it is a great way to introduce safety habits and readiness skills. So, when anything comes up by accident, they will know how to react and apply to avoid any mishaps.
Have Rescue Equipment Nearby
Any incident may occur at any time, even if you’re a swimmer or not; it won’t guarantee a drown-proof skill in the water. Nevertheless, if you have the right set of rescue equipment with an easy reach will help prevent a tragedy from happening.
- First-Aid Kit
Your pool is a place of physical activity; it’s critical to be prepared in the event of problems. This will help you respond quickly and onsite to emergencies before the incident gets worse. Make sure to learn how each of the supplies is used with basic first aid training.
- Life Jackets
Simply put, life jackets are lifesaving. It can literally save your life by keeping you afloat to prevent drowning. Especially if you or your kids couldn’t swim, this is a must to wear at all times.
- Safety Rings
When this safety ring, also known as doughnuts, is thrown at a drowning person, it will provide the buoyancy necessary to keep the person afloat. This is best for a quick rescue response since it comes with a rope, and hence, rescue can be done without going in the water (learn more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1L2dJ3KQsjJPXdZ4Vp3jckh/what-to-do-if-someone-is-drowning).
Always Supervise And Watch
If you’re going to swim, keep in mind that supervision is vital and necessary. You must keep an eye on other people while they are near water since this will greatly assist them in the event of an emergency. Even if you’re not in the water, looking after other people is important because you may help others who are in danger. That includes the means of getting help from professionals if someone is drowning.
No matter how good a swimmer you or other people could be, remember that everyone can be susceptible to drown. Particularly in children, make sure to provide “adequate supervision” to ensure they are within your reach.
Build A Pool Fence
A safety fence can be a considerable barrier against drowning when other risk factors for unintentional drowning happen. Wherever you live, you may be forced to have a fence around your pool; either way, it’s worth consideration.
- It Will Increase Safety
For your greater safety and reliability, ensure your pool is enclosed with a fence at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) high and a gate that a child cannot enter. To protect your child and other children in the area, ensure the gate is always closed and locked. Start building your Total Vision Pool Fencing to keep your pool away from the potential dangers. When you have this, you can rest assured that your pool at home and any other public pool will be safe. A pool fence can provide you with peace of mind, and it is a vital part of your safety plan.
- It Is (Usually) Required By The Law
A pool fence isn’t just for defining your property line; it’s also to keep the pool out of reach of your pets (if you have one), your kids, and other neighborhood children. In short, they are made to keep little children out of the pool when adult supervision is unavailable. If you fail to do so, you might be required to be held liable to compensate for the victim’s medical expenses, emotional trauma, and other losses.
Moreover, the pool and fence must adhere to all applicable codes from a legal sense, wherein many municipalities mandate fences surrounding pools.
