As the weekend approaches, and summer moves forward with its ever increasing hot temperatures, its sounds like a good idea to enjoy a swimming pool! Whether it’s a pool located within your housing community or at your home, we just want to take a moment to remind you about some pool safety tips. As much as pools are fun and refreshing, they can also be a potential hazard area.
According to past CDC Water Safety statistics, children ages 1-4 are at the greatest risk of drowning. 20% of drowning deaths are children under the age of 14. Did you also know that 80% of drowning victims are male? Of course, as much as we all enjoy a refreshing alcoholic beverage while attending a pool party, 70% of adult drownings involve alcohol. So how do you protect your family and others from being another statistic? Check out some of the core safety tips we provided.
Safety Tips
- When children are present, ensure they are being supervised by an adult and/or parent at all times. Most importantly, don’t be a part-time lifeguard when supervising children.
- Don’t leave toys in the pool that can tempt children.
- Don’t rely on “water wings” or other inflatables to keep your child safe.
- Learn how to swim, ensuring everyone in the home knows how to swim well.
- Establish, and enforce (yes, sometimes you have to be the bad cop!), safe behaviors (i.e. safe diving, no running, etc.) with young teens, teens, and yes adult groups!
- Do not play, or swim near drains, pipes or other openings in pools and spas. (Note: Drains should have compliant covers.)
- No glass containers.
- Have your smartphone close by at all times.
- For backyard pools, make sure the shallow and deep end of the pools are properly marked.
- Keep the pool water clean and clear by maintaining proper chemical levels, circulation, and filtration.
- If you have a spa make sure it’s covered when it’s not in use.
- Have a First Aid kit readily available with bandages, tape, scissors, and a flotation device.
- As a homeowner, it’s a good idea that 1 or 2 people take CPR courses. Get CPR certified.
We don’t mean to be a party-pooper when it comes to pools, as they are always related with fun, but always practice safety first, so your pool experience can be fun!
If you are interested in finding homes with swimming pools in the Santa Clarita Valley you can contact me at: 661.993.3400 or 818.259.0060
