Keeping Your Children Safe In And Around Your Swimming Pool

Pool Safety Guides - Keeping Your Family Safe Around Your Swimming Pool - Quick Dips by Leisure Pool & Spa Supply

Swimming Pool Safety

Preventing Injury or Death Around Water

Relaxing in or around your swimming pool is one of the summer’s best pastimes. There is just no better way to beat the heat! However, any body of water comes risks of injury or even death. From chemical irritation to drowning, there are a number of safety concerns that you should be aware of and prepared for. Below, we have compiled just a few tips that can assist you in ensuring pool safety.


Drowning – A Leading Cause of Accidental Death

Sadly, drowning is one of the most common causes of accidental death among children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional non-boating related drownings each year between 2005 and 2014. One in five of those who died from drowning were children 14 and younger. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce this risk.

  • Start your children in swim lessons as early as possible – education is key!
  • Make sure that your pool is fenced off with latching gates.
  • Supervise – never leave a child alone in or near a swimming pool. Regardless of the age of those swimming in your pool, make sure there is proper supervision present.
  • Have swimmers utilize the buddy system. Never allow them to swim alone.
  • Take a note from the Scouts and ‘Be Prepared’ – learn CPR and other basic first aid.
  • When boating, always use certified personal flotation devices (life jackets).
  • The CDC recommends clearing your pool and pool deck of toys and to keep them stored. This will reduce the temptation of children to enter the pool without supervision and reduces the risk of tripping.
  • Consider the use of a heavy duty winter/safety cover.
  • Know what drowning looks like. A point to remember is that drowning rarely looks like how it is presented in films and on television. It is often silent, with no thrashing or yelling. Be vigilant and alert.

Drain Covers – Ensuring V.G.B Compliance

If your pool is more than a few years old, you should explore the possibility that your pool’s main drain cover causes a risk of entrapment. New, certified drain covers are designed and formed to prevent accidental entrapment in accordance with the Virginia Graeme Baker act (V.G.B). Making sure your drains are compliant is essential in both residential and commercial pools.

Named after Graeme Baker who died in an accident in 2002 this law went into effect in December of 2008. Contact your pool supply company for more information on this issue. Click here to read more about the V.G.B act and drain covers. 


Keep Your Pool Maintained! – Other Risks & Tips

There are other risks beyond drowning that can be mitigated with proper pool maintenance and care;

  • Regularly check your pool equipment to ensure it is good working order. The combination of water, chemicals, and age can cause mechanical and structural failure. Make sure your deck accessories such as slides, diving boards, and steps are in good condition and free from extensive corrosion.
  • Use shatterproof containers to hold food and drinks when around the pool. Do NOT use glass as this is an accident waiting to happen! If any glass is broken and gets into the pool, this requires the pool to be drained and swept out – a costly and time-consuming mess.
  • Keep your chemicals at proper levels. Make sure your chlorine levels are within spec before getting into your pool. Use quality pool chemicals in their correct dosages. Do not just throw in chemicals and call it a day, take the time to calculate the amount needed. Good water balance can reduce skin and eye irritation. Click here to read more about how to balance your pool water.
  • Regularly shock [super-chlorinate] your pool to oxidize unwanted contaminants and kill bacteria. This is essential to safe swimming.

Have a Pool or Spa Question?

Specializing in commercial & residential service.

Leisure Pool & Spa Supply, Inc. was founded in 1982 and is headquartered in Syracuse, Indiana. We focus on serving the service and supply needs of both residential and commercial clients. We have grown to include a branch office in Indianapolis allowing us to work with clients across the State of Indiana. Our service technicians are highly experienced and have combined decades of experience in the aquatics industry.

If you have any questions regarding your pool or aquatic center needs, do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We are always available via phone or email and look forward to assisting you. If you are looking to purchase products directly online, visit our online pool and spa supply store.

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