Overview: This Blog will talk about Pool Safety. Go over the proper types of floatation vest. Also, what to do in an emergency.

DID YOU KNOW???

          Between 2013 and 2015, the majority (58%) of drownings of children under 4 took place in swimming pools, thermal baths or in their own homes. Most children drown because they wander away from the house and fall into a swimming pool that is not fenced off from the house.

          More than a quarter (27%) of drownings of children under 4 took place in the homes of friends, relatives, or neighbors. Most children slipped through a door, climbed out of a window, or crawled through a door to enter a swimming pool that was not fenced off from the house. Replacing child supervision with barriers to prevent children from entering the pool from outside the house could have prevented up to 11 drowning incidents.

BEST PREVENTION:

Home pools-

          A pool fence is essential to keep loved ones, neighbors, and animals away from your pool. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, pool fences are the most effective and proven method of preventing children from drowning. A physical barrier around your pool area can prevent children from entering and trigger both above and below ground pool alarms.

          Watch out for a fence that is at least four meters high and surrounds the pool on all four sides. Fences prevent people from falling into the pool itself and prevent small children from wandering into it unnoticed. If a child makes it through the back door of the pool, the fence is the last line of defense against the pool alarm.

          Swimming pool security systems use sonar grids on the surface of the water to detect violations and sound the alarm. This type of alarm submerges the pool and sounds when a certain movement is detected in the water, such as a child falling into it. Some models have a receiver that you can store at home to ensure that you can hear the alarm even when it goes off.

          Nets not only prevent your pool from getting in the way of other debris when the pool is covered, they also prevent everyone from entering the pool. Everyone knows that children, pets and limbs can get caught in a net, so it’s important to stay vigilant if you have one. And of course, follow all safety precautions in the pool, including watching children in the pool and participating in CPR training.

          One of the most important safety guidelines for swimming pools is to never leave a child unsupervised in their pool, hot tub or other waters. Keep children away from drainpipes and other openings to avoid entrapment and accidents. If you are not in the pool and a child is missing, look for it somewhere near the pool, including the neighboring pool.

          Children should be taught to notify an adult if someone has trouble in the water. If you are in the pool area with your child and he/she is drowning, you should be aware that this makes the pool rules indispensable for your family this summer.

PoolsSafely.gov has a few pool safety and drowning prevention resources, including educational videos, brochures, and tip cards that can be reviewed before the bathing season begins.

Find out how you can help reduce drowning and children’s entrapment in swimming pools and spas. The information contained on this page serves as a general overview of the safety regulations for swimming pools that may or may not apply to you.

If you have a swimming pool at home, ask your pool service representative to upgrade your drains and other non-absorbent drains, covers and other equipment and systems. Watch children in the water and never leave them unattended. Appoint an official water guardian, an adult in charge of supervising children in the waters.

Pool safety swim vest: Please make sure you always read and make sure the swim gear is the right type for the pool, beach, lake, river (there is a difference in what should be used in each body of water).

• Body glove paddle pals
• Stearns paddle jumper deluxe life Jacket
• Kids Back float swim aid
• Otter wings Kid Floaties
• Speedo Kids begin to swim arm bands.

Also remember that using floaties to help your child swim gives them a false since of security. They can deflate or your child can slip out of them.

Always make sure you have your eye on your children. Even if there are other adults around. Do not assume they are watching your child/ren.

Its better to start your child/ren young and teach them how to float and swim. Even though floats can help they are also dangerous to use. Make sure your child/ren are wearing the proper clothing in the pool as well. When wearing loose fitting clothes like t-shirts or tank tops they can be caught in the drains and suck a child under the water.

Never used in a pool:

• Speedo Infant Life Jacket (these are meant for boating so you can grab your child out of the water.

The back floatation on these where the head sits can prevent a child from being able to turn over and can cause them to drown.)

What to do in an emergency:

First things First!!!!! If you own a pool, you should take a CPR CLASS. If you frequent the river, lake, or ocean as well!

In an emergency: CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY or have someone call 911)

• Do not panic – We know that is hard to do- Take a deep breath. When you panic you can’t help anyone.
• If child/adult is drowning- Get the individual/s out of the water. If the individual is breathing (still have them checked out- There is something called Second drowning.

                             Second drowning will be in a different blog)

• If the individual is not breathing -Preform CPR until help arrives.

                   If you do not know CPR please go and get CPR Certified.  You should also get first aid certifies as well.

Click here for First Aid/CPR Training Information

Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information!!