Essential Pool Safety Tips for Parents and Kids

Summer is fast approaching! As families spend more time outside enjoying the fresh air, gardening, and playing lawn games, many households are opening up their pools. As you prepare to beat the heat in your own backyard oasis, take some time to revisit your pool safety plan. From making upgrades to your pool setup to establishing pool rules, there are a number of things you can do to keep your family safe this summer! 

Safety-Proofing Your Pool 

A few key safety features can significantly reduce the risk that someone in your family will get hurt in or around your pool. 

• Have your swimming pool properly maintained and repaired as needed.
• Enclose your pool with a five-foot fence and include childproof handles and gates.
• Store pool chemicals out of reach of your children.
• Use VGB-compliant drain covers to keep your kids safe in the water.
• Install a motion-sensing alarm to alert you if a child or pet enters the pool unnoticed. 

Setting Pool Rules 

Ensure your kids are clear on what behaviors are not allowed in the pool and surrounding area. 

• Write up a list of pool safety rules and hang it up near your pool.
• Prevent serious diving injuries with a no diving rule.
• Never let your kids swim unsupervised — swimming is not a safe solo activity!
• Keep your family out of the water when there’s a storm brewing. 

Teaching Kids to Swim 

If your kids are new to swimming, introducing them to the pool may be a little nerve-wracking. Ensure everything goes smoothly by teaching them key swimming skills. 

• Doubling as a cardio workout, swimming is a fantastic hobby for kids and parents!
• Use fun water games to get your kids excited about learning to swim.
• Enroll your children in swimming lessons as soon as they’re old enough.

Acting as a Lifeguard

When your kids are in the pool, make sure there is always an adult present who knows what to do if something goes wrong. 

• Recognize when someone is struggling in the water — it may not look how you expect!
• Learn how to do CPR on people of all ages.
• Keep safety equipment near your pool for quick access.

While pools are a lot of fun, they can also be dangerous. Don’t spend your summer fretting over the safety of your kids! Keep these tips in mind as you open up your pool for the season and prepare your family for a summer of safe pool fun!

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