With school being over soon, it is time to start thinking about summer activities, including the super-cooling swimming pool. In today’s blog post in collaboration with Texas Swim Academy, we will share some Pool Safety Tips to keep our loved ones protected this year, hopefully!
Drowning is the number 1 cause of death in children aged 1-4 years old.
Every year in Texas, enough children die from drowning to fill 2 kindergarten classrooms.
It takes layers of protection to keep them safe.
1. Supervison
Around the water , this means having a parent or adult actively watching the water. Not talking to other adults, looking away even for a second is dangerous. Not on the phone. The more adults present during an event with water, the higher the likelihood of an aquatic accident. Everyone thinks someone is watching and lets their guard down. Always stay within arms length from any non skilled swimmer. Do NOT rely on floatation devices and puddle jumpers to keep your child safe.
Have a designated water watcher.
2. Education
Swim Lessons
Children as young as 6 months old can learn how to independently swim and float. Not all swim instructors teach these lifesaving skills. All inquire about what a lesson entails and observe lessons prior to enrolling. Swim skills are the safety skill that your child can take with them everywhere they go. Even if you don’t have a pool, they will be exposed to water at some point. Make sure they are prepared, so they can be safer.
Swim Lessons Katy
Texas Swim Academy – offers different programs in the Katy area to fit your needs. From survival swim, stroke development, adaptive aquatics, and adult lessons, Texas Swim Academy has something for all ages from 6 months +.
Carri Caddick ISR – Fulshear
Naomi’s Grace is a local organization that provides scholarships for swim lessons.
S & R Private Lessons
CPR
Knowing how to perform CPR can be crucial to changing the outcome of a drowning event. The earlier there is intervention, the better the outcome.
Clothing
3. Structures & Functions
Safe Swim Colors
Caitlyn Neier x Forever French Swim
Pool Safety Tips for Homeowners
Barriers, fences, and gates
Life Saver Pool/Fence
Alarms on the access door
Ensure there is nothing near the pool fence that could be used to help climb over
Equipment
A pool fence provides an extra barrier between your child and the most dangerous area of your home. Fences should have a self closing, self latching gate. The fence should be at least 48 inches tall and be made of material that does not allow a child to climb it.
Gates should have a childproof locking mechanism or High locks on the access doors to the pool areas
Security cameras
Make sure there is always rescue equipment in the pool area.
It is recommended to have a toss ring available. Know how to use it and practice.
4. Rules
- Never allow children to swim without permission
- Always remove toys and floats when you are done with them.
Resources:
https://www.redcross.org/local/texas/take-a-class/cpr-houston-tx
