Pool Safety

What is pool safety?

Pool safety involves taking a few simple steps to help prevent drowning and injuries while swimming. 

Whether you have a pool in your backyard or enjoy swimming at community pools or lakes, pool safety is vital for preventing your family from experiencing a traumatic water-related event.

What are the ABCs of pool safety?

Following the ABCs (Active supervision, Barriers and boundaries, and Classes) of pool safety reduces the risk of accidents, injuries, and drownings. 

Active supervision

Parents should never leave children unattended at pools or lakes. Active supervision means consistently watching your children as they swim and keeping a close eye on them at all times. Swimming at a lake or pool with lifeguards is helpful, but it should not take the place of parents actively supervising their children while they swim, especially young children. Stay within arm's length of them.

Barriers and boundaries

If you have a pool at your home, ensure it has a barrier around it, such as a locked fence or gate, to prevent children from entering the pool unattended. This holds true for kids in your family and other individuals who may try to enter your pool without permission due to easy access.

Classes

Kids aren’t the only ones who may lack effective swimming skills, as about 40 million adults don’t know how to swim. Consider enrolling your child in swimming classes, and take a swim class yourself if you’re not a strong swimmer. CPR courses for adults are helpful in case you’re in an emergency situation requiring life-saving skills. 

Other helpful pool safety tips

Other highly useful pool safety tips to consider to keep you and your family safe in the water include:

• Be aware of and abide by pool rules
• Purchase United States Coast Guard-approved life vests for non-swimmers
• Keep kids away from drains and filters (install safety release systems and anti-entrapment drain covers in home pools)
• Never swim alone
• Always swim sober
• Never enter the water head-first unless it’s a designated diving area
• Check the water first if a child goes missing

Encourage your children to never swim near drains or filters, as they could get caught in them or trapped underwater due to strong suctioning. 

While not all drownings are preventable, many of them are. Do what it takes to keep you and your family safe during swimming season.

Schedule an appointment at Nevada Pediatric Specialists by calling the office or requesting an appointment online today. Same-day visits and walk-ins are available.