Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Pool Safety Week- Staying safe with a pool


Staying safe with a pool
    The best way to assure a safe and fun experience in a residential swimming pool is to add as many water safety steps as possible. Families can build on their current safety practices by adopting water safety steps at home.  By following these safety tips you can make sure your pool is safe for all ages.
    Stay close, be alert, and watch children in and round the pool. Keep an eye on each child the whole time they are in or near the water. Teach them basic water safety tips and to keep away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid them from getting trapped. Have a telephone close by at all times when using the pool. If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool area first.
    Learn and practice water safety skills in your pool. If you are not confident in swimming take lessons and teach your child how to swim as well. Take classes too in CPR and first aid for adults and children and keep them updated. Understand basic lifesaving in the water so that you can assist in a pool emergency. To take classes, contact your American Red Cross at 1800-REDCROSS.
    Install appropriate equipment for your pool. Have a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and use self-closing and self-latching gates, and encourage your neighbors to do the same. Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water and consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm.  Check drain covers to make sure they are compliant to the current regulations. Maintain pool covers in good working order.
  Keeping your pool safe keeps your family safe from any water accidents that may occur. For more water safety tips and how to protect your pool from danger visit www.redcross.org.

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