The most effective way to make pools safe for children, is the simple concept of having parental supervision present at all times, when children are in or around a swimming pool. Supervising a child from a kitchen window, from the other side of the yard, or outside a gated pool area, does not constitute the safe monitoring of children, nor does being distracted by other family members, cell phones, laptop computers or pets.
Each summer, we learn about a child who has lost their life in a backyard pool incident, most often caused by the negligence of an adult, or adults, responsible for the well-being of the child at the time. In fact, some 300 children under the age of 5 die each year, while another 2,000 children under the age of 5 require emergency-room care, for injuries related to swimming pool accidents, according to liveandlearn.com, a children’s educational website. And almost all of these types of accidents, if not all, are preventable, providing that the child is properly looked after.
Another simple method for making a pool safe for children is just as obvious: having a gate enclosing a pool, regardless of whether the pool is an above ground or an in-ground style. And in most states it’s the law, not an option, to have a 4 foot fence (or higher) surrounding a pool. Many above ground pools are cleverly “built-in” to the ground, providing the benefits of an in-ground pool, further necessitating the need for an enclosing fence.
Child flotation devices offer several varying types of protection, and should be worn at all times, and in all types of swimming pools.
Safety on pool decks is also paramount in protecting a child from a pool related accident. Ensuring that a deck is not cluttered with toys, not encouraging children to climb onto decks, along the sides of in-ground pools, diving off the sides of pools or diving boards (depending upon the age and skill levels of the child), swimming in the deep end of pools (again depending upon the individual child), are all measures that should be adhered to, when dealing with the well-being of a child.
Even the presence of a small “kiddie-pool” is also potentially hazardous, although not as obvious, as an infant child can drown instantly, should a child accidentally fall into the pool and become submerged under water. Similar to a bathtub, an infant can drown in just a few inches of water, in such a pool.
Swimming during inclement weather, or the threat of such weather, should be avoided at all times, as water is a conductor of electricity (lightning).
A caring, dedicated parent, guardian or baby-sitter, remains the best safeguard when dealing with children and their safety around swimming pools. But don’t be afraid go right ahead and jump into that pool with your child, and follow the safety precautions mentioned above. This will ensure that you both will have many wonderful summer memories, for years to come. And don’t forget the sunscreen.
