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Our Top 5 Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Kids and Adults

Chad Maag • June 22, 2023

Summer is a time for fun in the sun, and swimming is undoubtedly one of the best ways to beat the summer heat. Whether you’re taking a dip in an inground swimming pool or an above-ground one, it’s important to understand the safety precautions you should take to ensure a safe and enjoyable swim.

Here are our top five safe swimming tips for kids and adults:

Learn to swim and teach your children to swim, too
Never leave children unattended
Install a fence
Invest in essential pool safety features
Create and implement pool rules

Before you dive in, read on to discover the best ways to stay safe while swimming this summer—and beyond.

1. Learn to Swim and Teach Your Children to Swim, Too

One of the best things you can do to ensure pool safety is to learn how to swim. Swimming is a valuable skill that can potentially save your life—or the lives of others—in water emergencies. Enroll your children and yourself in professional swimming lessons. Learning to swim will not only help you enjoy pool time more; it will also improve your confidence while in the water.

2. Never Leave Children Unattended

It’s common to assume that drowning happens with lots of splashing—in reality, these emergency situations usually happen silently without warning. It’s important to never leave a child unattended while in the pool, even for a second. Hire a lifeguard or designate someone to be a "water watcher" to keep an eye on the kids while they swim. Remember, you should never assume someone else is watching the children.

3. Install a Fence

If you have a backyard pool, investing in a durable, high-quality fence is essential. This is especially true if you have an inground swimming pool since there’s more of a risk for adults and kids alike to fall in. At a minimum, the fence should be at least four feet tall. According to Good Housekeeping, your pool fence should also have a self-latching gate that keeps small children—and even pets—from wandering into the pool area unattended.

4. Invest in Essential Pool Safety Features

One of the most effective ways to enhance swimming pool safety is to install pool safety features. By adding some of the latest and greatest safety features to your pool, you and your family can enjoy peace of mind all summer long. Some of the safety devices you should consider adding include:

Pool Safety Cover: A pool safety cover is a necessary feature for pools that are not in use, particularly during the winter months. It prevents accidental drowning by covering the pool and therefore eliminating the risk of someone falling in. There are manual and automatic pool safety covers, so choose one that suits your needs and budget.
Alarm Systems: An alarm system is another great safety feature that can be installed in and around the pool. There are a variety of pool alarm systems available, including gate alarms, perimeter alarms, and surface alarms. These different alarms are effective in detecting when there is a breach of the pool perimeter. The alarms will usually sound off within seconds of detecting anything out of the ordinary.
Life-Saving Equipment: Life-saving equipment is one of the best investments you can make. It is required by law in many places, including lifebuoys, rescue hooks, and life jackets. It is your responsibility as a pool owner to ensure that you have this life-saving equipment readily available in case an emergency occurs. You should ensure that all individuals, both children and adults, know how to use it in case of an accident.

5. Create and Implement Pool Rules

Whether you have an inground swimming pool or an above-ground pool, you should always set clear pool rules—and enforce them. Make sure your kids understand what type of behavior is unacceptable and what to do in case of an emergency. Some pool rules can include “No running around the pool”, “No diving in shallow water,” and “Wait for adult supervision before entering the pool.”

Conclusion

Swimming pool safety is essential. By understanding and implementing the tips provided above, you'll be able to keep your kids and yourself safe while enjoying the pool. Remember, the most important rule is to never leave children unattended in the pool and always be prepared in case of an emergency. Stay vigilant, enforce the rules, and have fun.