When the weather is nice, a day at the pool with friends and family is hard to beat. With a few basic precautions, everyone can have a great time.
If you own a pool or spa, keeping everyone who uses it safe, especially children, comes first. That means installing the right safety equipment and following good water-safety habits.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends fencing pools and spas with self-closing gates and making sure children learn to swim. Used together, these steps help keep both adults and children safe in and around the water.
A home pool is a wonderful way to spend the summer, but it also carries real risks. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, especially when swimmers are left alone. Make sure your pool is properly equipped and everyone knows the safety rules before swimming.
Here are our pool safety tips to keep your family safe this summer.
Pool Safety Tips for Summer
Store Pool Chemicals Safely
Pool chemicals used the wrong way can harm people and damage your pool. Store them in a cool, dry, locked place, out of reach of children and pets, and never mix different chemicals together. If you would rather not handle chemicals at all, our pool water balancing service takes care of it.
Make Sure Drain Covers Are Safe
Pool and spa drains can be dangerous. The suction from an uncovered or broken drain is strong enough to trap hair, swimsuits, arms or legs, and people can be held underwater.
Teach children to stay away from drains, and check your drain covers regularly for missing screws or cracks. Replace old covers with anti-entrapment covers that meet the Virginia Graeme Baker Act standard, which public pools are required to use. Contact our pool professionals any time for help.
Always Watch Your Children
Always keep your eyes on children when they are in or near the water. If you need to step away, even for a moment, ask another adult to take over. Children can drown in seconds and often without a sound, so constant supervision is the most important safety rule of all.
Put a Fence Around the Pool
A barrier around the pool keeps unsupervised children out. A pool inspection can check that your fence and gate are doing their job.
Even a simple barrier can stop a curious child from wandering into the water alone.
Gates should open outward, away from the pool, and be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch out of a child’s reach.
Check the Pool Area for Hazards
Slips, falls and head injuries are common around pools. Keep the deck clear of small objects, and put pool toys, tubes and floats away when you are not using them. Algae also makes surfaces slippery, so if your pool has turned green, get it fixed quickly.
Learn CPR
If you own a pool, learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). In an emergency, being prepared and acting fast can make the difference between life and death.
Teach Your Children to Swim
Swimming is an essential skill for children to learn early. Lessons build confidence in the water and teach kids how to stay safe while having fun.
Contact our team at Clear Tec Pools for honest advice, help with pool problems and professional pool cleaning in Hoschton and nearby cities.
Read more: How to Choose a Pool Cleaning Company in Georgia
For more, see the frequently asked questions below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most important swimming safety rule?
Never swim alone, and make sure children are always watched by an adult. Use the buddy system.
What should you avoid before swimming?
Avoid alcohol, which affects judgment and coordination. After a big meal, rest for a while before swimming hard, so you do not tire quickly in the water.
Why shouldn’t you run around the pool?
Pool decks get wet and slippery from splashing, so running greatly increases the chance of slipping and falling.
Need help with your pool in Hoschton or nearby? Call Clear Tec Pools at 678-679-0165 or book online.