Top 20 Pool Safety Equipment Devices And Tips
Pool safety equipment and helpful tips are essential if you have a swimming pool in your yard. A backyard swimming pool is a fabulous source for fun and exercise and the very best way to cool off when those temperatures skyrocket in the summer. However, it can also be a dangerous and unfortunately, even a deadly place. Having proper pool safety equipment and following safety rules is essential.
- Always keep a cell phone or cordless phone by the pool. Being able to make an emergency phone call rather than running into the house to get the phone can be the difference between life and death.
- Children must have adult supervision at all times and of course, the adult must also know how to swim. If the adult who is supervising has to leave the pool area for even a minute, the children need to get out of the pool during that time. Tragic accidents can occur the minute that you turn your eyes away.
- Any household members who cannot swim need to take swimming lessons. Young children and non-swimmers need personal floatation devices or life jackets.
- Pool safety equipment starts with a fully stocked first aid kit and there must be an index card in that kit that offers CPR instructions.
- Any swimmers who are old enough should take the time to learn CPR.
- Keep pool hoses and toys away from the edge of the pool so that they do not become a tripping hazard.
- Safety lines and safety ropes are two important elements of pool safety equipment. These will section off a part of your pool so that people do not enter your pool at the deep end.
- Life jackets are important floatation devices, especially for children and non-swimmers. They should always be in good condition and fit the wearer properly. For a life jacket to be used as a piece of pool safety equipment it needs to fit snugly without the chance of slipping off and it should be Coast Guard approved.
- Extremely important pieces of pool safety equipment are ring buoys. These are circular floatation devices that a long rope is attached to. Ring buoys can be used to help retrieve someone out of the water when there is an emergency. You can purchase these in various sizes and like the life jackets, they should be Coast Guard approved.
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Always keep TVs, radios and other electronic equipment far away from the pool to avoid the risk of electrocution.
- Never allow glass near the pool. Drinks should always be transferred to plastic cups prior to entering the pool area and glass plates or ashtrays are never a good idea.
- Your pool should be no less than eight feet deep to allow diving and never install a diving board that has more spring than the recommended amount for your pool depth.
- Pool alarms are considered a must when shopping for pool safety equipment. This device will float around the pool while it is not being used. If the water is disturbed, the alarm will sound to let you know that there is an unauthorized swimmer or an accidental fall.
- Reaching poles are another popular type off pool safety equipment. They should be adequate length in comparison to the size of your pool and placed in a spot that they can be easily accessed in case of an emergency.
- It is always recommended to install a fence around your yard or the pool and all gates should have locks. This will ensure that no neighborhood children have an accident and will also keep pets out of the pool area.
- Avoid swimming while intoxicated, especially if you are alone.
- You may want to have motion-sensor lighting installed around your swimming pool.
- It is a good idea to install a cut off switch for the filter in a very convenient place. Older pools often have bottom drains that can create enough suction to pull a swimmer underground.
- If your pool is equipped with underwater light bulbs you should have a professional change them when they burn out.
- Never swim during an electrical storm.