Backyard Swimming Pool and Hot Tub Safety - Seven Things You Need to Know
Each year, hundreds of children drown in backyard swimming pools and hot tubs.
Many of these fatalities are preventable if only parents and other adults would take the time to learn a few simple safety rules.
So, for those of you who have a pool or hot tub on your property, here are seven things you need to know to protect your children, your family, and your friends.
Install a fence or barrier at least 4 feet high that completely surrounds the pool or tub.
Place the list near a telephone where it will be easily accessible to someone in the pool or hot tub area.
You may want to include:
Develop a list of safety rules to be followed by everyone when using your swimming pool or hot tub.
Teach these to your children.
Never take your eyes off of small children when they are in or near the water.
Use "Layers of Protection" when children are using these recreational facilities.
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Many of these fatalities are preventable if only parents and other adults would take the time to learn a few simple safety rules.
So, for those of you who have a pool or hot tub on your property, here are seven things you need to know to protect your children, your family, and your friends.
Install a fence or barrier at least 4 feet high that completely surrounds the pool or tub.
- Openings in the fence should be no greater than 4 inches.
- If you have an above-ground pool with walls at least 4 feet high, keep the ladder raised and locked or remove it whenever the pool is not in use.
- If your hot tub has a cover, use it whenever no one is in the tub.
Also, remove any steps or risers normally used to enter the water.
- Use a chlorine, bromine or non-chlorine product to sanitize the water.
Carefully follow the directions for safe handling, use, and storage.
Contact a pool or spa professional if you have questions. - Obtain a kit for testing the levels of sanitizer in the water.
Test on a regular basis. - Learn what the recommended sanitizer levels are.
Place the list near a telephone where it will be easily accessible to someone in the pool or hot tub area.
You may want to include:
- The local police or fire department or whoever is the "first responder" in your area.
- The nearest hospital or poison control center.
- A friend, neighbor or family member that may be near enough to respond.
Develop a list of safety rules to be followed by everyone when using your swimming pool or hot tub.
Teach these to your children.
Never take your eyes off of small children when they are in or near the water.
Use "Layers of Protection" when children are using these recreational facilities.
- Watch the children yourself or appoint a responsible family member or friend to watch them.
Don't let them go into the water unattended. - Teach the children about the rules for using the pool or hot tub.
- Make sure that any gate or door leading to the pool or hot tub is self-closing, self-latching and lockable.
- Use an alarm that activates whenever the gate or door is opened or when the water surface is disturbed.
There are also some alarms designed to be worn by children that activate when wet.
- Ownership of a swimming pool and hot tub comes with responsibility.
You are responsible to ensure the health and safety of everyone that you allow into the water. - If you do nothing else this year, make sure that you and your family learn how to swim.
There are numerous agencies and organizations that offer swimming lessons.
poolstuff.
info.