When searching for a new home, swimming pools are often at the top of the wishlist for most people. Having a swimming pool in your backyard can be a fun and exciting way to enjoy the summer season. However, being a homeowner with a swimming pool requires great responsibility and caution. You should always be practicing pool safety with your family at home, as well as any guests you might have over for a pool day. Let’s find out how you can practice pool safety at home.
Supervision
One of the most important rules to being a homeowner with a pool, is to always have supervision whenever someone is using the pool. Whether your kids are swimming, another family member, or guest, it’s important to always have a clear view and quick access to the pool. This way if an emergency ever were to happen, you could see it and respond to it immediately.
Learn the Basics
If you have a pool at your home, you should know how to swim. If you don’t feel completely confident in your swimming capabilities and need to seek swimming lessons for yourself or a family member, please check out the Top 10 Best Swimming Lessons in Saratoga County .
PFD’s vs Toys
If you have small children who will be swimming in your pool, whether your children or guests, make sure they have the proper safety equipment. Floatation toys, floats, and pool noodles can be fun and stylish, but they are more for fun than function. If you have a child who needs help with swimming of floating, make sure to purchase a properly certified PFD (Personal Floatation Device) to help keep them safe in the water.
Learn CPR
Learning CPR is highly suggested for homeowners with swimming pools. This way if there ever was an emergency at the pool, you could practice CPR if need be while waiting for other medical professionals. You can take classes and earn your CPR certification through the American Red Cross. They have classes online and near Saratoga County, NY.
Build Barriers
If own a pool, it’s important to secure it with barriers to eliminate any unwanted accidents. Popular barriers can be fences around your pool, locked gates, and covers.
Never Swim Alone
Even if you believe you are a highly skilled swimmer, it’s important to never swim alone. If for some chance there is an emergency, there would be no one else around to call 9-1-1 or get help. Not letting children swim alone in your pool is especially critical.
Create Rules
If you have a pool, you should create a set of rules for all household members or guests that use it. These rules should include no running or roughhousing near the pool. When kids, or even adults, are playing near the pool, they are less aware of their surroundings which can cause an accident. Of course, you can still have fun and enjoy your time in the pool, but while being cautious and aware of your surroundings.
Check the Forecast
Before going out to enjoy a day full of swimming in your pool, make sure to check the weather. If the forecast calls for any type of bad weather, reschedule your swimming for another day. Swimming in a thunderstorm or other harsh weather is extremely dangerous and can potentially lead to an emergency.