How To Keep Your Family Safe Around Water

Having a pool in the backyard is a privilege that a large number of homeowners do not have, so the rest of us who are fortunate enough to have one need to appreciate it by making sure that everyone in the home and everyone who visits it frequently knows the safety rules outside by the pool.

The most important “accessory” that you can have around the pool is a fence. This will keep intruders and children from your neighborhood out of the pool as long as you keep it locked and the fence is high enough. The reason to keep intruders (pool hoppers) out of it is obvious, but many homeowners do not know that if a child gets into your pool or falls into it and drowns, you are responsible because it happened on your property. The gate to your pool should be kept locked with a padlock at all times. As long as it is locked, the chance that someone will get in your pool without your knowledge is very slim.

If you have children in your home and you do not want them in the pool without your permission, there is an wrist strap that you can purchase called Safety Turtle that you can use to keep them out of it. When it is submerged underwater, the base station that you purchase to go with it sounds an alarm to let you know that the child is in the pool. Even though this kid for a single child (you can purchase more wrist bands if you need to) will cost you around $175 - $200, it will make you feel a lot safer about having a pool in your backyard.

All of the adults in your home need to know CPR if you are going to have a pool. Lifeguards at community pools always know CPR and first aid because they are required to, but you do not have this at your home unless you decide to learn it yourself.

Children should not be allowed in the pool unsupervised, especially if they are inexperienced swimmers. When you do allow them in the pool, they should be wearing the appropriate safety devices like arm floaters or a life jacket, depending on their age. Their low level of experience should restrict them to the shallow end of the pool where the water should not be higher than chest deep.