Stay Safe This Summer – 5 Safety Tips for Backyard Pools
When the sun is shining, what better way to relax with your family than hanging out around your backyard pool. Whether it’s just you and the kids, or whether you have friends and family over to visit, making sure that your pool area is always safe means everyone can enjoy it.
Making sure that everyone is clear about what they can and cannot do in your pool is a great place to start. Your kids might know that diving in is unacceptable, but your other young visitors may not. Before any gets in the water, be sure to run through some basic pool rules with them.
There are plenty of other ways to ensure that your backyard pool is always a safe and fun place to be when the sun is shining. Here are 5 top safety tips to help you and your guest enjoy your pools safely this summer:
- Never let children swim alone
You don’t necessarily have to get into the water with them, but you or another responsible adult should be watching them play at all times. Drowning can occur in as little as 10 seconds, and even the most experienced of swimmers can become ill in the water or hurt themselves and not be able to stay above the water.
With small children, it is particularly important that you stay within arm’s reach so that you can grab them if you need to. Let someone else deal with the doorbell or serving drinks, while you keep your eyes on the safety of the kids.
- Be careful with inflatables
As much fun as giant swim rings and other inflatables are, if there are too many in the pool, or too many people on them, they can become a hazard. Inflatables can easily overturn and could be a danger to those who are not strong swimmers if there are not able to get to the surface quickly. To remove the temptation from younger children, remove the inflatables completely when they are in the pool.
- Install a fence
Whether you are playing in it or not, your pool can still be potentially dangerous, Well-meaning ball games that go into the water, playing with the dog or even just kids being kids can lead them closer to the water’s edge before you know it. Protect your family from accidents by installing a fence with a self-locking gate around your pool area.
- Restrict diving
Unless you have a huge outdoor pool that has a designated deep end, you should advise your children and all other guests that diving is simply not allowed. Operating a “feet first” policy means that your pool guests will not run the risk of hitting the pool floor head first. If your pool is particularly shallow, you must make everyone aware of this, so they can enter the pool safely.
- Keep your pool in good working order
Loose steps, cracked tiles, and slippery floors can all be hazardous. If you have ladder steps around the pool, be sure that they are firmly fixed to the floor and wall. Tiles on the side and floor of the pool should not have sharp, broken edges that could lead to cuts and bleeding. Finally, the floors around the pool should not become super slippery when wet, if they do lay down one waterproof matting or other material to prevent slips and falls.
The Sena Group can provide home insurance for your house and garden. Speak to us today at 561-391-4661 to find out more.
For more information about how The Sena Group can help you with any
of your insurance needs, please contact us at 561-391-4661.
We can be found on Social Media at the following links.
The Sena Group
6501 Congress Ave., Ste. 100
Boca Raton, FL 33487
561-391-4661
