Swimming pools of all kinds and young children, especially those under the ages of five or six, do not mix well. Even if your children are avid swimmers, there is still the chance that one can accidentally fall into the pool fully clothed, with shoes on, and in a state of panic, temporarily forget how to swim. This can lead to disastrous consequences, including death by drowning. In order to keep your swimming pool – and thus, your children – safe, there are a number of things that can be done, including:
1) Supervise your children at all times when they are around the pool. This is the best way to keep them safe, and if something should happen, either you or another adult (or even an older child) will be around to pull him or her out, perform CPR if necessary, and call 911.
2) Teach your children (once they are old enough) to be careful when playing in the backyard around the pool. This may not work in all situations, as some younger children might still become curious and want to get as close to the edge of the pool as possible, but older kids can be taught to not run around the edges of the pool and follow proper pool safety precautions.
3) Make sure that your children know how to swim. And even then, adhere to rule number one – supervise them when they are in the pool. Knowing how to swim is the first step to pool safety, however, there is still the chance of an accident occurring if your kids are very young, which is why they should be watched closely.
4) Cover your pool when it is not in use. Also, use a safety net along with a well-secured pool cover. This way if one of your children happens to trip and fall into the pool, the cover and safety net will protect him or her from ending up underwater. But, if the pool is in use, you do not want to leave the cover even partially on, as smaller kids may get accidentally trapped under it.
5) Set up precautionary measures, for example, erect a security fence, complete with a safety gate, around an in-ground pool, and remove the steps (if you have any) leading to an above-ground pool when it is not in use. Both of these work well to keep your swimming pool safe, as they prevent your children from getting near it.
6) Keep toys, patio furniture, and other kid-friendly “temptations” away from the pool. Although you may enjoy relaxing on a chaise lounge poolside, it is best if you move the chairs, tables, and other items away from the pool when you are done with them. If your kids have no reason to be near the pool, they are less likely to fall into it.
The best way to keep your swimming pool safe from your children is by combining these methods together. Eliminating access to the pool, covering it securely with a safety net and a pool cover, and observing your young children when they are in the backyard will prevent pool-related accidents from happening.