What child doesn’t want to have a little bit of fun in a swimming pool? Almost everyone (including those who are kids-at-heart) loves to have a dip every now and then. However, there is also the reality of accidental drowning that has led to many heart-aches among several families particularly if a child is involved. How many times have we heard the grieving parents or adults that the accident would not have happened had they been more vigilant?
We are constantly reminded of how important it is to keep toddlers and older children away from the pool if there is no adult to supervise them. So you, as the dutiful adult, would take every precaution that you can think of to make the pool and its surroundings safe for children of all ages.
These would include:
- putting up a pool fence;
- making sure that the lock of the pool fence is beyond the children’s reach;
- covering the pool securely;
- placing pool lights;
- keeping lifesaving equipment (like a life preserver, first aid kit, shepherds hook, and a telephone, if possible) near the pool;
- a non-slip surface is used for the pool deck;
- no rough play during swimming;
- teaching children that swimming alone is definitely prohibited;
- use life vests that have been specifically designed for this purpose; and so much more.
On the other hand, we sometimes forget that swimming pool chemicals can also pose as a hazard to children’s health. Remember that the danger sign is printed on the label for a reason, which is why you should not overlook this part of the safety process.
Swimming pool chemicals should be:
- sealed properly when not in use;
- kept out of children’s reach (keep it under lock and key); and
- stored in a cool, dry place that is properly ventilated.
- Don’t allow people particularly children to use the pool while it is being treated.
- Invest in swimming pool test kits but make sure that you change the chemicals used for these test kits annually.
Overall, short of teaching your child how to swim, there are a number of different precautionary measures that you as an adult could take to keep the young ones from getting in harm’s way and combining all of these precautionary measures can help keep your child safe from possible harm.
