It’s a well-known fact that kids can get a bit rowdy at the pool – heck, so can adults! It’s easy to forget safety guidelines when you’re out having an exciting day in the water. However, it’s imperative that you adhere to the safety instructions to avoid pool accidents and ensure your day out stays as fun as possible!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has estimated that more than 3,500 people lose their lives each year due to drowning. Countless more are injured due to reckless behavior around swimming pools. Many people sustain injuries as a result of slipping and falling, severely injuring themselves while diving in too shallow of water, or even being electrocuted poolside. There are several important pool safety guidelines to keep in mind to ensure none of these events happen to you.
Always Supervise Children When in the Pool
Most pool-related incidents primarily involve children, so you must ensure that your children are being supervised at all times while playing in or near the pool. Never leave them unattended near the pool, no matter how safe you feel the area may be. Make sure to check on them frequently or ask someone else to supervise if you are attending a party or other social gathering, where your attention may be occasionally diverted.
Make Sure There is at Least One Adult Present Who Knows CPR
To many, this may seem like overkill, but this knowledge can mean the difference between the survival or death of an adult or child. If anyone drowns or swallows an unsafe amount of water, someone needs to be able to keep them alive while the ambulance is on its way.
Avoid Diving Into Shallow Water
Almost all pools feature at least one warning sign that prohibits guests from diving into the water. This is because most pools are too shallow for diving, and you may end up hitting your head on the bottom. If there is a deep end of the pool, make sure all other swimmers are clear of the area before diving and that you’ve verified that the depth is appropriate for your activity.
Do Not Drink and Swim
When you consume alcohol, you are not capable of decision-making in the capacity that you would typically exercise. This can put you in grave danger, increasing your risk of drowning or injuring another swimmer.
Do Not Substitute Foam Toys and Floats for Safety Devices
Although these do keep people afloat and are fun to play with, inflatable pool accessories should not be used as a substitute for a proper life jacket. If someone is not confident in their swimming ability, give them a life jacket or do not allow them into the pool at all, except for the shallow end where their feet can touch the ground. Even then, it would be best if you exercise great caution.
Implement these safety standards at your next pool party to avoid pool accidents and ensure that all individuals are kept safe and free from injury. This way, you can guarantee a good time for your friends and family.
