Summer time is fast upon us! And that means school is out and the kids and their friends will be spending long, hot days by the pool. As a homeowner, you know what a luxury it is to own a pool. However, you also know what a responsibility it is. Before you set the family loose in the pool area, be sure to read up on taking the right precautions. Here are summer pool safety tips for homeowners:
Food and drink while swimming. It is important to keep in mind that swimming right after eating is a dangerous prospect, even for adults who have a lot of swimming experience. Why is that? We are much more likely to cramp up during physical exertion after we eat . . . and cramping up while swimming presents some obvious dangers. Also, alcoholic beverages and swimming do not mix – plain and simple. Adults who have been drinking alcohol should not go into the pool.
Blocking off the pool area. You should have a fence around the pool area, in order to keep out children and pets who are susceptible to falling in and drowning. Also, if you or another adult cannot be outside by the pool with kids, then it is a good idea to keep the kids blocked out of the pool area until you can.
Behavior around the pool. Running should be discouraged around the vicinity of the pool, as all it takes is a trip and fall to end up in the pool unexpectedly – and this could lead to unintentional inhalation of pool water. Also, don’t allow children to rough-house in the pool area. This applies to chasing, pushing, and throwing each other into the pool.
Checking for dangerous objects in and around the pool. Inspect all pool toys to make sure they are not broken (with sharp edges), and a that they are not moldy and/or mildewy, as mold and mildew can cause asthma, allergic reactions, and illness. Also, it is never a good idea to have glass around the pool. That goes for plates, bowls, and drinking glasses, too, so be sure to use only plastics for food and drink around the pool area.
Accidents happen. Because it is impossible for you to prevent every accident from happening, all of the time, you should invest in a pool alarm. That way, if someone does go into your swimming pool unexpectedly, you will instantly be notified of it.
A whopping 65 percent of all pool drowning accidents happen at the person’s very own pool! An even larger number of drownings – 77 percent, to be exact – occur when a child is out of sight for less than five minutes! These are startling numbers, and reasons to be especially vigilant when it comes to pool safety. Remember that if you are the homeowner and it is your pool, then YOU are the one responsible for how others use your pool. Keep these important safety tips in mind this summer.
About the Author: Fidel Wider is a home improvement specialist with a major focus on safety. He’ll gladly come to your home and quote safety changes, remodeling ideas, and even soundproofing with mass loaded vinyl or other materials. Your wish is his command.