Are you planning to beat the summer heat with a pool day? Cooling off by swimming is one of the best perks of summertime. Whether you plan to swim in a lake, community pool or one in your backyard, there are safety measures everyone can take to ensure the activity goes smoothly.
- Never leave children unattended around a pool or body of water.
- Ensure that everyone participating knows how to swim, is accompanied by someone who is a proficient swimmer or is wearing proper flotation devices.
- Install proper barriers and gates around the pool area.
- Install anti-entrapment drain covers to prevent drain and suction entrapment.
- When handling pool chemicals, read and follow all directions on the product labels.
- Wear safety equipment when handling pool chemicals.
- Keep swimmers healthy by not allowing anyone to enter the water who has had diarrhea in the last 24 hours and ensure no one defecates in the water.
- When choosing your child’s swimsuit, contrasting colors to the water is key for visibility. The safest colors for your child to wear in a pool are neon pink and orange. In a natural body of water, the safest colors are neon orange, yellow and lime green. Avoid colors such as dark navy blue, black, dark green, white and light blue.
The best way to protect your children is for them to learn how to swim and know water safety. You, as the parent, can take the extra step of learning CPR, which can save a life in the event of a drowning incident.
Pools are a great source of fun and exercise during the warm months. However, they do come with their own set of risks. Being prepared, knowing what to watch out for and teaching your children proper water safety can help keep everyone healthy and safe.
Another topic to consider when you own a backyard pool is how your homeowners' liability insurance will be able to cover the costs of an incident. Contact your local Farm Bureau Insurance agent today to learn more about how to stay best prepared for all possible scenarios.