Stay Safe at the Pool

With warmer weather, many of us are looking forward to beating the heat by spending lots of time at the pool this summer. It’s a great way to cool off, entertain yourself and your family, and it can be one of the cheaper summer activities. But while you’re relaxing at the pool, be sure to practice safety and precaution. The Red Cross recommends the following around the pool:

– Always swim with a buddy

– Stay within arm’s reach of any weak or inexperienced swimmer

– Do not rely on water wings, swim rings, or other inflatable items or toys as a substitute for adult supervision

– Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction

Do you or a family member need to learn how to swim? The Red Cross also offers swim and water safety classes for ages 6 month to adult! You can find local class availability by visiting www.redcross.org.

Prevent Drownings in your Home and at the Pool

Orange County drownings reached a four-year high in 2012. It takes only seconds and a couple inches of water for a child to drown. The following steps can help prevent drownings.

  1. Install safety locks on toilets and keep bathroom doors closed when there are small children in the home.
  2. Empty all cleaning buckets immediately after use.
  3. Empty kiddie pools immediately after using them and never leave children unattended around the pool when it is full.
  4. Install barriers around your home pool. These should be at least 4 feet high around the entire pool. Make sure the latch is out of the reach of small children. Installing alarms and pool covers add an additional layer of protection.
  5. Do not allow children to have breath-holding competitions.
  6. Do not consume alcohol when watching children swim. It takes only seconds to drown and if you have been drinking your reaction time might not be fast enough.
  7. Become CPR certified.

The signs of drowning are not as apparent as the movies make them out to be. Oftentimes most of the movement happens after the child is completely submerged under the water. Keep your eyes on your children at all times even if they are excellent swimmers.