Once you have a swimming pool, what you want to do is share it with family and friends. Hosting a summer event or just enjoying the pool on a hot day can be exciting.
But now that you have a swimming pool you need to ensure that is safe. Safety is very important, and you need to take the right steps to protect the people that will enjoy your swimming pool.
While we have come to learn the importance of cleaning the swimming pool, now we must pay close attention to the safety of the swimming pool.
To make the pool safe for swimming a pool owner needs to ask who are the people that will access your pool?
The purpose of this question is to determine and identify the people who can suffer injuries using your pool. So, who all are at a risk to get hurt from your pool? The people at risk are those who can access your pool family members and guest.
Since you are responsible for the safety of family members and guests hence, you are responsible to provide a safe environment and educate them about vulnerable areas that are on your property.
Additional Read: Tips To Maintain A Saltwater Swimming Pool
What are the common causes of injuries and accidents associated with swimming pools?
Some of the most common factors that result in swimming pool injuries are:
- Lack of proper supervision.
- The pool area lacks proper warning signage.
- Lack of proper fencing around the pool area.
- Uncovered and unguarded unfinished area.
What are the common injuries that people suffer around the pool?
The most common injuries that people suffer around the pool are head trauma, slipping, and falling or lacerations. The important thing to keep in mind is that the injured person can hold the owner responsible in a court of law if proper precautions are not taken.
Steps to prevent an accidental drowning
If in an unfortunate accident if someone drowns in your pool while you are hosting neighborhood children, or while you are hosting a party for your family and friends.
You are responsible for their safety. How can a pool owner reduce the risk of accidents and make the swimming experience safer?
- No child should be left unsupervised while using the swimming pool.
- While hosting a party for friends and family members, communicate clearly for everyone to be vigilant and that only they are responsible for their child’s well-being.
- Do not rely on a swimming device to protect children from drowning.
- Install fences that are taller than 5 feet that surround the pool perimeter, and make sure you install a lock in your pool fence.
- All the gates leading to the pool must have childproof locks to prevent young children from accessing the pool.
- Install motion sensors cameras to monitor any activity in the pool area.
- Install a pool safety cover for protection when the pool is not being used.
- Let go of all the diving boards. Diving boards significantly increase the risk of pool injuries. Even an experienced diver can slip from the board and land on one’s head. This is one of the reasons why we advise against having a diving board in their home pool. Similarly, swimming slides are also safety hazards and must be taken down.
- Daily inspection for slipping hazards
People are prone to trip on objects near the pool area. Floats, tubes, toys, and cleaning equipment should be stored away from the pool water and pool area when they are not in use.
- Avoid chemical hazards
Pool chemicals help in killing disease-causing germs, but a slight mistake and a higher concentration can cause serious injuries. Further pool chemicals require a cautioned handling and slight negligence can be harmful. This is the reason why pool chemicals should always be stored away from the water when they are not in use. Locking away pool chemicals also prevents any potential child hazards.
- Drain cover traps
Drain covers can be serious traps that can drown people from suction pressure. This is a common and completely avoidable reason for accidental drowning. So your drain covers must have rounded covers with no cracks or missing screws.
How to eliminate the common risk of poolside injuries?
- Install slip-resistant sidewalks around the pool
- Install ample lights along the poolside so that you can have light and avoid tripping after sunset.
- Include depth changes signage around the perimeter.
- Rules for swimming and pool access should be pasted in a convenient place that can be seen clearly.
- Cover the unfinished area around the pool area to avoid any potential accidental hazards.
- Cover the pool space with proper signage.
- Every city council or housing area has rules and strict protocols for swimming pools. Go through their rule book and make sure that you follow all the safety regulations.
Enjoying a dip in the pool is immensely satisfying but, the chances of accidents and hazards taking place are big. Therefore, safeguarding your pool from all possible accidents and hazards is your number one responsibility.
We hope that this blog helped you in clearing your doubts and giving you ideas on how to make your pools safer.