Crucial Pool Safety Tips

Summertime is once again upon us, that means lots of sun and swimming. Pools can be a great way to cool off, but they can also be dangerous. Every year we hear stories of accidental drownings. The most unfortunate part of pool accidents is that they are always avoidable.

Here are some tips to ensure that you enjoy the summer and avoid accidents.

Supervision

The most important thing to remember about pools is to never leave children or novice swimmers unattended. Accidental drowning can happen in a matter of seconds. So, never take your eyes off your children when they’re in the pool.

Teach your Children How to Swim

Teach your children how to swim. The best way to avoid an accidental drowning is to be proactive and teach your children how to swim. Even if you don’t have a pool, it’s a good idea to teach your children how to swim. There are pools everywhere, there is a high chance that your children will come in contact with a pool at some point. The best time to learn how to swim is at an early age. Children are inherently good swimmers and pick it up very quickly at a young age. Also, there are many programs that offer inexpensive lessons to children.

Install Fences

Install fences and barriers around your pool. This is not only a good idea, but it is also usually a requirement in most towns. Pools should always be isolated from the rest of your yard to avoid children accidentally falling into the pool. All gates should be self-closing and there should be no gaps or openings in the fencing.

Swim in Safe Conditions

Never swim alone. Even if you are an experienced swimmer, it is a good idea to swim with another person. Medical emergencies happen unexpectedly and can strike anyone. If you are swimming alone and suddenly experience a medical emergency, you could accidentally drown.

Additionally, avoid diving headfirst. Diving headfirst can be dangerous, especially if the pool is shallow. It is not safe to dive headfirst in a pool that is not at least eight feet deep.

It is also extremely important to never swim under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs can seriously impact your coordination and judgment. This can lead to serious issues when swimming.

Learn CPR

Learn Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Rescue measures can help avoid a serious injury and could even be the difference between life and death. If you own a pool or have young children, it’s a really good idea to learn CPR. It takes just a few hours and classes are offered at several places, including the Red Cross.

Keeping these safety tips in mind during summer can help ensure that you have a great summer and avoid unnecessary tragedies.

About the Author


Steven Palermo is the managing partner for Palermo Law, Long Island’s Personal Injury Law Firm. He has been helping people receive compensation for their injuries for over 21 years. He focuses on cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and slip and fall injuries.

His book The Ultimate Guide to Handling New York Car Accident Claims details the ins and outs of a car accident claim in a simple, easy-to-read manner.