Nothing welcomes the summer better than a dip in the swimming pool. However, drowning is the leading cause of preventable death in children ages 1-4 and more than 7,000 drowning deaths occur every year in the U.S. Swimming pool safety is critical for children and adults of all ages. Use the tips below to stay safe in the water all summer long.
Learn How to Swim
Sign your kids up for swimming lessons as soon as they’re old enough. There are even swimming lessons for infants available. If you cannot swim, it is also time for you to learn.
Know the Signs of Drowning
Most people expect someone who is drowning to flail their arms and yell for help, but this doesn’t usually happen. Drowning victims usually cannot call for help. It is important to know the signs of drowning so that you can save lives.
- Hair over the face and eyes
- Head low with their mouth at water level
- Tilted-back head
- Gasping for air
- Hyperventilating
- Legs vertical but not moving
- Trying to roll in the water
- Looks like the person is climbing a ladder
Constant Supervision While Swimming
It takes just seconds for someone to fall into a swimming pool and drown. Constantly supervise family and friends in the pool at all times. Do not leave the area or get distracted when children are swimming in the pool. If you must leave, appoint someone else to keep an eye on the pool.
Install a Fence Around Your Pool for Swimming Pool Safety
A fence around the pool is not optional in most states; it is the law. A typical swimming pool fence is 4 feet high and prevents children from accessing the pool without supervision.
Swimming Pool Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
It is important that all homeowners who have a swimming pool take safety seriously. The swimming pool is a whole lot of fun, but it is also dangerous if the tips above are not followed. Do your part to keep the swimming pool safe.
American Dream Home Inspections provides swimming pool inspections and other home inspection services to New Jersey. Contact us to schedule a pool inspection or one of our other services.