Summer is just around the corner. If you have a pool in your backyard, this also means that it is time for your children’s fiends to over and swim in the pool. There are a number of different things that you can do in order to ensure the ultimate safety for your children and their friends.
Drowning is a problem each and every year, but the fact in the matter is that it does not need to be a problem. Some thing that you can do in order to reduce the risk of your children drowning or becoming injured in the pool this summer. Every year over 35 children under the age of 5 drown, that is 50% of these deaths occur in private swimming pools. Queensland has recently experienced changes in its fencing regulations, however all States are looking to make new amendments in the near future. Legislation is different within each State and information is obtainable fro the State Government.
The following is a minimum for all States:
- The swimming pool gate must open outward from the pool.
- The gate latch must be more than 1.5m form the ground and must be self-closing and self-latching at all times.
- The pol fence must be secure and in good working order and no more than 100mm from the ground.
- The pool fence should be at least 1.2m high with no vertical gaps more than 100mm apart.
- CPR sign is prominent in the pool area
Never Leave Children in the Pool Area Alone
This is one of the most common mistakes that is made by parents each and every year. You probably think that stepping away for just a moment can be harmless, whether it is to answer a telephone call or if it is to take care of some yard work. Unfortunately, it is not okay to leave year children alone in the pool at any time. If you know that you need to step away, it is important to make sure that you take your children with you.
Make Sure That Your Children Know the Pool Rules
There are a number of different types of unsafe pool behaviours that you will want to make sure that your children do not take part in. Some of the things that you will want to make sure that they avoid doing around the pool include
- Running,
- Pushing and
- Diving head first into the water.
Anyone who swims in the pool should know it is not okay to dunk each other.
Having plugged in electrical gadgets, such as radios, near the pool is a major no-no as water can be a conduct for electricity.
It is important to make sure that your ensure rules are followed as a parent or child supervisor.
Don’t Allow Children Who Can Not Swim to Be in the Pool
If you child or child’s friend does not know how to swim, he or she should not be allowed in the pool. You need to consider other options so that particular child will eventually be able to swim in the pool, such as organising swimming lessons. It is also very import to make sure that your child uses floties if they are not the strongest of swimmers.
Remember to keep in mind that just because your child has floatees or has attended swimming lessons, this does not mean that he or she will be one hundred precent safe in the pool.
Do Not Make it Possible for Children to Fall in the Pool
If you have an in-ground pool, added measures like pool fences, which remained locked at all times can prevent your child from falling in.
If your pool is above ground, keep in mend that your child can climb in and fall in also.
This is why it is important to make sure that ladders are removed from your above ground pool when no one is swimming in the pool. You never know what your child may try to do if, for some reason, no one is around to watch over him or her.
What If I Do Not Have a Pool
If you do not have a pool, you may feel as though your child is not at risk for drowning. Well, if you should allow your child to go to a friends house to go swimming or even to the local pool, then your child is still at risk of drowning. It is important to make sure that you do not allow either of these things from happening, unless you know that there is going to be someone available to watch your child at arms length at all times. You should also keep in mind that your child can drown in water aside from pools. Whether it is a bucket of water or even a baby pool, your child is at risk of drowning. It is important to make sure that you monitor your child, at all times, in any situation that you feel he or she may come into contact with water.