Home Pool Tips...

Home Pool Safety Tips

· Learn to swim.

· Never leave children unsupervised around water. You should have an eye on children at all times.

· Keep a phone by the pool so you can call 9-1-1 in case of an emergency.

· Learn CPR and insist that anyone who cares for your children know CPR also.

· Enclose the pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. If your house is part of the barrier, the doors leading from the house should remain locked and be protected with an alarm that sounds when the door is unexpectedly opened. If there is a pet door, be sure that it is locked when small children are in the house.

· Check your fence regularly to make sure that it is secure so neighbor children can't wander into your yard and fall into the pool.

· Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over and gain access to the pool.

· Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. A pole, rope, and personal floatation devices are recommended.

· Keep toys away from the pool when not in use. Toys can attract young children into the pool.

· Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.

· If a child is missing, check the pool first. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom, and surface, as well as the surrounding pool area.

Child Safety Tips

· Maintain constant supervision.

· Do not rely on substitutes. Use of floatation devices and inflatable toys should NEVER replace adult supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.

· Enroll children in a water safety and swimming course.

· If you are supervising children around pools you should take a CPR course

Drowning prevention tips for pool owners

·  Never leave a child unattended in the water or pool area for any reason. Don't be distracted by doorbells, phone calls, chores or conversations. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate latches securely when it closes.

·  Always keep your eyes on the child or children. Designate a child watcher, whether you or someone else, when you attend a party or have friends or family over.

·  Talk with baby-sitters about pool safety, supervision and drowning prevention.

·  Post rules such as "No running," "No pushing," "No dunking" and "Never swim alone." Enforce the rules.

·  Don't rely on swimming lessons or "floaties" to protect your children in the water.

·  Don't assume that drowning or a drowning incident couldn't happen to you or your family.

·  Don't have a false sense of security just because you think your pool area and home are secure. Always watch your children, whether in the house or outside.

·  Attend a CPR class. Make sure your baby-sitter knows CPR.

·  For the nearest cardiopulmonary resuscitation class, contact your fire department, Red Cross or hospital.
·  Encourage your neighbors to follow pool safety guidelines, including keeping their back gates and doors locked, and their pool gates securely closed and latched.

A dip in the pool can cool you off, but it can also pose a health risk. The Center for Disease Control suggests six tips to reduce swimming health risks.

• Don't let your child swim when he or she has diarrhea. This is especially important for kids in diapers. Germs can spread into the water and make other people sick.
• Don't swallow the pool water. In fact, try your best to avoid even having water get in your mouth.
• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet or after changing diapers. You can protect others by being aware that germs on your body end up in the water.
• Take your kids on bathroom breaks often. Waiting to hear "I have to go" may mean that it's too late.
• Change diapers in a bathroom and not at poolside. Germs can spread to surfaces and objects in and around the pool and spread illness.