All across Maryland, many pools opened for the first dip of the season this weekend. After a cool spring, people have been eagerly waiting for signs of summer, but that’s no reason to get careless. Whether you’re a pool owner or guest, it’s important to understand the basics of pool safety before you even put on a swimsuit. So, here are some things to remember and share anytime swimming comes up.
Have the proper barriers in place.
Especially as a homeowner, you’ll want to surround your pool with a protective barrier that ensures only your invited (and supervised) guests can access it. To limit liability and ensure optimal safety, you should install a fence that’s at least 4 feet high (and above the reach of most children). We recommend choosing a moisture-resistant, minimally spaced option such as vinyl or aluminum. Not only will this limit the number of surprise guests, but also it can cut down on the debris that gets into your pool. Don’t forget to incorporate a self-latching gate, so you don’t have to worry about anyone accidentally leaving it open. Pool covers can offer extra protection, should someone manage to bypass the fence, while also keeping the water clean. If you’re looking to go the extra mile, you can even add a pool alarm that will alert you to any unexpected presence.
Enroll in safety courses.
You’re never too old for swimming lessons! If you doubt the abilities of yourself or your family members, start looking for some age-appropriate programs in your area. As a parent, you’ll feel more comfortable and, ultimately, so will they! After all, pools are much more enjoyable when you know how to swim confidently. Plus, you shouldn’t use the deep end or diving board without some basics under your belt.
Apart from these lessons, someone in the household should also pursue CPR and/or first aid courses. More likely than not, you won’t need to use them, but in the event of an emergency, you need to know what to do. Try to instill the basics of swimming safety any time someone enters the pool deck. Many rules of public pools are rules for a reason! So just because it’s attached to your home doesn’t mean it’s a free-for-all. No running, diving, or horseplay policies will prevent many accidents from occurring this summer and beyond.
Stay vigilant.
Whether you’re a lifeguard or not, you should still supervise any children in the pool. With multiple children present, there should also be multiple parents, so recruit their help! Move the entire gathering poolside and remain active. Whether or not you actually decide to get in the pool, you should be walking along its full length and scanning the surface while the water remains occupied. Don’t forget to incorporate breaks! Whether it’s a 15 minute Adult Swim, or regular bathroom/snack breaks, these rest periods are important for everyone involved.
While we can’t help with the training programs or constant monitoring, we can take part in protecting your pool. As fencing specialists, we have a lot of experiencing working with this feature and installing all available safety features. So, if you don’t have one yet, call our experienced technicians today for a free quote.