Pool Safety Tips: A Refresher for the Family

May is National Water Safety Month, and with Memorial Day weekend right around the corner, we thought it might be a good time to do a refresher on some basic pool safety tips. Getting the whole family involved in pool safety can help keep everyone safe this pool season.

Poolsafety.gov has some great tips and materials to help you get started. They even have a free app for younger kids to learn about pool safety while earning points to move to the next level of the game. It’s available in the App Store or Google Play.

Pool Safety Tip #1: Teach Your Children How to Swim Safely

If you move into a house with an inground pool, or you have one built, it’s crucial that your children learn how to swim. Enroll them in swim lessons with the Red Cross or local swim club. You can also hire certified swim instructors to give private lessons in your pool.

In addition:

• Teach your children to stay away from pool drains and other openings.
• Teach your child to never swim alone.
• Teach your children to never dunk another child.

Pool Safety Tip #2: Never Leave Children Unattended in or Near the Pool

• Always have a responsible water watcher – an older teen or adult, keep an eye on children in or near the pool. For younger children, stay in the pool with them.
• Keep children away from the pool drain and other openings.
• Have a charged phone ready to call 911 if needed.
• If a child is missing from the house or a party, check the pool first.
• Share pool safety tips with family, friends, and neighbors.

Pool Safety Tip #3: Learn How to Perform CPR

Sign up for a CPR class with the Red Cross and learn how to perform CPR on infants, children, and adults. This is a skill that is good to have as a pool owner, but it can also help you help someone else in a medical emergency at anytime, anywhere.

Pool Safety Tip #4: Have the Right Pool Safety Equipment

• Install a pool fence that’s at least 4’ high and has self-latching gates.
• Make sure pool and spa drain covers are safety compliant.
• Install an alarm on the door of your house that leads to the pool.
• Keep life-saving equipment such as a life ring or a reaching pole near the pool.
• Make sure pool and spa covers are in working order.

Related Reading: Maryland Pool Fence Laws

Pool Safety Tip #5: Keep Glass Away from the Pool Area

To avoid cuts and lacerations, make it a house rule that there is no glass allowed near the pool. This includes beer bottles, soda bottles, glassware, etc. Canned beverages or beverages in plastic bottles are fine. Use non-breakable cups and tumblers outside.

Pool Safety Tip #6: Go Over Equipment Rules

If you have a pool slide or diving rock, teach your children (and their friends) the safety rules for using this equipment. No pushing or shoving, and wait until the person in front of them has surfaced and moved out of the way before jumping or sliding.

Pool Safety Tip #7: Get Out of the Pool If You Hear Thunder

There’s a reason this is a rule at large public and private pools. Lightning frequently strikes water, and water conducts electricity. That means the electricity from a lightning strike can injure or kill you if you’re in the water when lightning strikes.

Make It Exceptional. Make It Woodfield.

If you don’t yet have an inground pool yourself, it’s always good to brush up on the pool safety rules for when you do. If you’re envious of your neighbors who have pools, start exploring your options. The road to your pool paradise starts with hiring a pool builder who can give you the exceptional experience you deserve. That’s what we deliver.

We provide custom pool design and installation services for homeowners throughout the Baltimore area, including Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County, and Howard County. Schedule a call today.