With summer right around the corner, pools are being opened up for friends and families to enjoy. Water safety is extremely important especially if you have children and pets around your house. Here are a few steps you can use at your home and at others to keep everyone safe this summer.
1. Always have an adult or older child watching children when they are in or near a pool or spa
2. Teach kids basic water safety tips
3. Have a phone close by at all times in case of an emergency
4. Teach children to stay away from pool drains, pipes, and any openings that could cause physical harm or entrapment
5. If a child is missing, check the pool or spa first
6. Share your knowledge of safety with neighbors, family, and friends
Quick action is often crucial in an emergency situation involving water. It’s best to learn CPR for children and adults and some basic first aid skills. You can also install fences and door alarms to let you know if anyone enters the pool area unsupervised. Because swimming skills can vary, make sure you ask where the ability is of each new person that plans on using your pool. Swimming lessons are available in every community for various age groups, including those for infants!
Don’t forget about your pets - you should familiarize your furry kids with water at a young age as well. Dogs often love to play in the water but please don’t assume that they can swim.
If you’re interested, more information can be found on the Pool Safely website (www.poolsafely.gov). Enjoy the water!