Pool Safety to Prevent a Pool Disaster

Drowning is to blame for nearly 30% of children’s deaths, drowning in a private pool is the second leading cause of death among teenagers.
 
For the years 2014 through 2017, there were an average of 3,500 fatal unintentional drownings.  An annual average of 6,200 children younger than 15 years of age were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments for nonfatal injuries associated with pool or spa submersions. The majority of these incidents involve children younger than age 5.
 
On average, more than 4,000 children under the age of 5 annually require emergency department treatment for pool and spa related non-fatal injuries. The majority of these children are between the ages of 1 and 3.

---

Although these statistics alone are frightening, they aren’t the only reasons why you should consider developing home swimming pool safety tips and rules for your family.

For every drowning that occurs, there are 11 near drowning incidents, many of which result in disabling brain damage due to lack of oxygen supply to the brain.

With all these statistics to consider, here is the most glaring of them all: roughly 70% of drowning incidents occurred when children were not adequately supervised.

In other words, supervision is the best idea to protect your children from an accident around your pool. However, supervision isn’t 100% foolproof, and we all know mistakes and errors in judgment happen.

---

There are steps that can be taken to protect children from drowning incidents. By understanding and sharing the Simple Safety Steps That Save Lives and taking the Pool Safely Pledge, parents and caregivers can prevent drowning related injuries.

Pledge that you will...

 * Don't leave - even for a minute!
Children can drown very easily and very quickly. Even if you leave for just a moment to answer the phone, or check the oven timer it can provide enough time for a traumatic accident to occur. If you must go inside, insist that all children get out and stay out of the water until you return.

* Install a fence and self closing self latching gate
A fence around your pool and spa should be at least 4 feet high. It is recommended that your fence around your pool and spa has a lock on the gate at least 3 ½ feet above ground level.

* Inform babysitters and nannies
If you have a babysitter, or nanny watching your children, make sure they are aware of your safety measures regarding your pool and spa. Show them how to open, and close the gate around your pool and spa, how to manage your pool and spa cover if you have one, and make sure your babysitter or nanny is trained in CPR and first aid in the event of a pool accident.

* Talk to your children
Children, no matter how young should be aware of the dangers of a swimming pool and spa. Often the fear of an accident is enough to keep most children cautious. Explain that no running should ever take place around the swimming pool, no one should enter the water without an adult present, and to NEVER lean over the edge of the swimming pool to try and retrieve an item from the water.

* Appoint a designated " watcher " during parties
When adults have parties, often children also attend. A distracted adult can allow accidents to happen. Rather than risk it, have adults take turns keeping a careful watch on the swimming pool. If there are more than 6 or 7 children in the water, it is recommended to have two adults watch the pool at all times.

* Keep a telephone & safety equipment near the swimming pool
Unfortunately accidents can happen. Be Prepared.
In case of an emergency, keep a telephone near the pool so you can quickly call 911. Every second counts. If a child appears to be in trouble, get that child and all other children out of the water immediately before calling 911.

* Check the pool FIRST.
If you notice one of your children missing, go check the pool first. Drowning can occur within minutes. Time is valuable. Go all the way to the edge of the swimming pool and scan the entire length of your pool including along all of the borders of your swimming pool and be sure to check your spa if you have one. 

* Never use a flotation device as a substitute for supervision

* Knowing how to swim, does not make someone drown proof.
 
* Never use a pool or spa with a missing or broken drain cover

* Consider installing a SVRS (safety vacuum release system) device that will automatically shut off your pool pump when a blockage is detected.

* Have a licensed swimming pool professional regularly inspect your pool and equipment
* Clearly mark the location of the electrical cut-off switches to your swimming pool and spa pump
* Place tables and chairs well away from your swimming pool fence to prevent children from climbing over
* Make sure all suction outlets have approved covers to prevent entrapment
* If someone becomes entrapped against a drain, cut-off the power to the pump immediately, do not attempt to pull them free from the powerful suction

* Remove ALL pool toys from the pool after use.
Children will be tempted to reach over the edge of the swimming pool for toys away from your presence( plus they will get sucked into your pool skimmer and can restrict the flow of your filter and pools circulation system)



* Practice TOUCH SUPERVISION with all children under 6 years old.
This means at all times your children are within arms reach of you

* Learn CPR

---

Animal / Pet Safety Equipment

If your pet or other animals fall into your pool without your knowledge, make sure they have an easy way to get out. From ramps for dogs and cats to bridges for frogs and other water-loving creatures, you can keep every creature safe around your pool.

These are inexpensive pieces of equipment to keep all animals safe around your pool.
These devices won’t tell you when an animal is in the pool, but it will help them get out on its own.

Underwater Motion Alarms
These pool security systems use either vision or sonar grid beneath the water’s surface to detect a breach and sound an alarm.

Since they use sonar and vision, these systems won’t sound false alarms due to wind-generated movement of the water. However, they are sensitive enough to detect even the smallest body (around 8 pounds). These systems are completely automated and re-arm themselves automatically. They provide an excellent primary security system for any size or shape of pool.

Pros: These are always activated in the pool, so there is no way for a child to sneak or fall into the water without an alarm sounding.
Cons: Underwater motion pool alarms are always on. You’ll need to physically take it out of the pool and switch it to it’s “sleep” mode before jumping in the pool or the alarm will sound.

Popular Model: The Poolguard PGRM -2  and the new Coral Drowing Prevention systems Manta http://coraldrowningdetection.com/about/