With temperatures rising, many families are now filing their pools and getting ready for the summer months.
Ensuring all the family are aware of basic pool safety and “house rules” regarding your garden pool is as important as applying suncream. These rules can make all the difference between a happy family summer and a devastating family tragedy. Remember, drowning is not shouting for help and splashing around like you see on the TV. It is silent, can take place in a few centimetres of water and children can lose consciousness in as little as 20 seconds.
Top 10 water Safety tips for the home
- Do not allow your child to use the pool without adult supervision and ensure all non or weak swimmers wear a buoyancy aid.
- Never let older siblings supervise the pool as they may become distracted.
- Always remove the steps when not using the pool and secure them well away from the pool or place them inside the pool.
- Don’t forget the filter and pump. Young children are still able to climb on these to gain access to the pool. Make sure when setting up your pool it is a reasonable distance away to avoid this.
- If covering the pool make sure the cover is suitable and properly secured when your pool is not in use.
- Never leave toys in the pool. This can encourage young children to try and retrieve them. They may fall in unnoticed.
- Smaller paddling pools must be emptied after use as young children can easily gain access.
- DO NOT SWIM or supervise the pool when drinking alcohol.
- At night make sure all areas of access to the garden are secure to avoid any children getting up in the morning before parents/guardians and gaining access.
- Write your “House Rules on the pool” and make sure all the family are aware of them.
