Swimming Pool Safety

While swimming pools are a great benefit to any home, one should not forget that a swimming pool is also extremely dangerous - even deadly. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission states that over 300 children at, or under, the age of five years old die annually in swimming pool related accidents; another 2000 children are admitted to the hospital annually due to swimming pool related accidents that are not fatal.

Understanding the necessity for swimming pool safety will insure parents and guardians insure the safety of their own swimming pool. Deciding to "play it safe" is the responsibility of the parent or guardian of any child coming into contact with a swimming pool.

One safety technique many parents use is a barrier of some sort. This barrier can be a wall or a fence. Most barriers are not childproof, but they do allow the parent or guardian to realize the child is not where he or she should be. While a barrier is not a guarantee of safety, adding a barrier is an inexpensive and responsible step for a parent or guardian.

When installing a barrier, care should be taken to insure the barrier is at least 4 feet in height. Make sure there are no handholds or places a child could get their footing allowing them to climb over the barrier. If fence slats are used, they should be no more than 4 inches apart. Any larger and a child will be able to easily squeeze through. The mechanism to open and close the entrance to the swimming pool should be as high as possible on the barrier - out of the child's reach.

Another popular swimming pool safety technique is the use of door alarms. These are easily installed and inexpensive. One of these should be installed on every door the child can use to get out of the house and into the swimming pool area. The door alarm will make an audible, detectable sound should the door be opened. Usually, the adults in the household can use a keypad or key to open the door once. Sometimes, the alarm will startle the child causing them to freeze or run allowing the caregiver to take appropriate actions.

Another popular swimming pool safety mechanism is a power safety cover. These covers are usually electronic and pull a cover over the pool as needed. These are extremely safe if the ASTM requirements have been met accordingly. Remember, a child can drown in only a few inches of water.

The number one tool for caregivers in handling swimming pool safety is good, old fashioned common sense. Below is a list of a few rules you may want to incorporate into your home if you own a swimming pool.

• Learn CPR. Sibling, grandparents, caretakers, and parents - anyone who will spend time with the child alone and who owns a swimming pool should require CPR certification.
• If you go to check on your child, and you do not know where the child is, check the pool and pool area first.
• Never under any circumstance prop open the pool barrier's door.
• Always use constant supervision when in or around the pool with a child.
• Keep a phone at poolside with a list of emergency numbers close at hand.
• Instruct caretakers such as a babysitter or nanny in your swimming pool safety.
• Do not allow floatation devices to serve as supervision.
• Just because a child may know how to swim does not negate the responsibility of the caretaker or guardian in supervision.
• Remember, an empty swimming pool can be as dangerous as a swimming pool with water.

If you have a swimming pool and small children, swimming pool safety is a top priority. In only a matter of seconds, a child can drown in only a few inches of water. Swimming pool safety is inexpensive and easy; parents cannot afford not to investigate the safety of their children around swimming pools.

NOTE: Interested in obtaining a detailed recommendation of swimming pool safety? If you live within the United States, write the address below for a free information guide to swimming pool safety.

CPSC Pool Barriers

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 2027