A swimming pool is tempting for most children. Children are often attracted to the pool because it looks relaxed and fun, but they still need to prepare for the dangers lurking beneath the surface.
Keeping your swimming pool safe for children is an important part of being a parent. Whether in-ground or above-ground, there are key steps you can take to childproof the area, from resetting pool alarms to installing fences and self-closing gates.
Here are thirteen crucial tips for ensuring your swimming pool is safe and secure for kids.
Table of Contents
Install a Fence Around the Pool Area
Installing a fence around the pool area is an important safety measure to take for childproofing your swimming pool. A four-sided fence should be built around the pool, and the gate to the pool area should always be open.
It should also be free of footholds and handholds and separated from the main house. Other requirements include a 48-inch fence with slats no more than four inches apart, with an automatic gate that closes and is high enough for children not to reach it.
Cover the Pool When Not in Use
It is important to cover your pool when not in use for childproofing your swimming pool. Pool covers should be equipped with locks to prevent unauthorized access.
Additionally, pool covers should be made of a material that will not collapse under a child’s weight, and all edges should be kept securely tied down. Pool covers should also be regularly inspected for tears and damage.
In addition to covering your pool, it is also important to install safety devices such as pool alarms and safety barriers to protect your children from any potential danger further.
Do a Safety Check and Develop Good Habits
Do a safety check every time you go for a swim. Secure the fence gate, and don’t leave anything that can be used as a stepping stone. Install signs around the pool to remind guests and children of pool safety rules.
Establish good habits by teaching your children always to ask before entering the water and requiring adult supervision in the pool area at all times. More pool safety checks can be found at easypoolcleaning.com.
Put up Signs or Markers Near the Edge of the Pool
Having signs or markers near the pool’s edge can help a child avoid getting into trouble. Use tape or rope to create a visible border and clearly mark the edge of the pool so that children are aware of it. Additionally, you can place nonslip mats near the pool’s edge for extra safety.
Signs should also indicate the maximum depth of the pool and the danger of diving into shallow water. Additionally, installing a pool alarm system and a pool cover is important to further protect your children from any potential danger.
Make Sure Children Always Swim With an Adult Nearby
Swimming requires a great deal of concentration and can be physically tiring. It’s important always to keep an adult close by to make sure that children are safe and accounted for.
Furthermore, teach your children the critical safety rule of swimming with a buddy so they know not to enter the pool alone. Install clear rules that they must obey if they are swimming without an adult present, such as no diving and staying within a certain area of the pool.
Get a Pool Alarm
To ensure your swimming pool is secure and safe, you need pool alarms. Make sure that you have a quality pool alarm installed in the area, specifically one with adjustable sensitivity settings.
This way, if a child or pet enters the area, you’ll be alerted right away. It is very important to test the alarm frequently to ensure that it is working correctly.
Inspect Drains Regularly
It is very important that you periodically inspect the drains in your swimming pool. The suction from these drains can be powerful enough to trap smaller objects and even kids who may be interested in exploring them.
Check the guards on drains so they are properly sealed and install a drain cover designed to keep children out of direct contact with the drain. To prevent it from coming off or breaking easily.
Check Safety Equipment & Make Sure It’s in Good Working Order
Install layers of protection around your pool to make it as safe as possible. Keep a first aid kit and ropes or flotation devices near the pool at all times, and take the time to inspect them regularly.
Make sure any ladders or diving boards are secure and in good working order, with no missing pieces or loose steps that could pose a hazard to children.
Keep Pool Water Clean and Balanced
Maintaining clean and balanced pool water is key for child pool safety. This can be achieved using a residential swimming pool circulation system, which runs 24 hours a day to filter, sanitize, and balance the water continually.
Get into the habit of testing the pH balance of your swimming pool once per week to ensure that it is safe for your children to swim in. Balancing the pH allows germs and bacteria to stay low and out of your pool’s water.
Store Pool Chemicals in a Locked Cabinet
It’s important to keep pool chemicals such as chlorine, pH balancers, and algaecides stored in a locked cabinet away from children. Swallowing pool chemicals can lead to serious health risks like vomiting, burning sensations, dizziness, difficulty breathing, and even death in some cases.
Ensure your pool is properly secured by using locks or other special tools that restrict access to the swimming area. If a child can get into the pool, ensure that they always have an adult nearby.
Teach Your Kids to Swim
Teaching kids to swim starts with introducing them to the water in a safe, fun, and comfortable environment. The first step is to familiarize your children with the pool, the water, and all the safety equipment.
Get them used to the feel of the water and show them how to move and float. After they become comfortable, you can teach them basic swimming techniques, such as controlled kicks, back floating, and swimming on their stomachs.
Use incentives, such as toys or colored balls, to help them focus and make it fun. You can also practice swimming with them on the ledge of the pool if available. Working towards simple goals, such as kicking for up to 10 seconds, can help them build confidence and practice their technique.
Last but not least, turning around underwater is an absolutely vital safety skill for every child. It’s essential to teach children the skill of turning around underwater. After giving the trigger cue, “name, ready, go,” lift and lower your child under the water, then turn them back towards you.
Set and Share Pool Rules
It’s important to set and share pool rules to keep kids safe and prevent accidents. Parents should teach their children essential pool rules:
- Always get permission before getting in the pool
- Never go swimming alone.
- Avoid playing or swimming near sewers or suction outlets.
- Never attempt to scale the pool fence.
- There will be no sprinting or shoving around the pool.
- No rough horseplay or holding other children underwater
- If a pool is not marked for diving, you should never dive in the shallow end.
Additionally, it’s important to leave the pool if there’s lightning. Parents should also consider setting their own pool rules, such as no swimming without an adult present or no swimming after dark. It’s essential to share these rules with your children and ensure they understand why they are important.
Teach Your Child to Stay Away from Drains, and Other Openings in the Pool
Teach your child to stay away from drains and other pool openings to avoid entrapment. Drain entrapment occurs when your body gets stuck between the water and the drain of your pool or spa.
Clothing, hair, and limbs can get sucked against the drain grates and trap a swimmer underwater. Make sure to check the drain covers to make sure they are properly in place.
It is also important for your children to refrain from getting tangled in pool equipment with strong suction, which can entangle their hair or clothing. Finally, ensure that your children know how to quickly shut off the pool’s filter in case of an emergency.
Conclusion
Swimming pools need to be appropriately childproofed by taking the appropriate precautions. Various measures can be taken to ensure your children’s safety, from installing safety fences and alarms to teaching kids about water safety and installing a pool cover.
Taking the time to childproof your swimming pool properly can ensure that your kids are safe from any potential danger. Here are some ideas for swimming pool construction if you have a small backyard.
