… that’s not a typo. We mean it — we want you to pool safely this summer!
Your pool (whether it’s in your backyard or a community pool you visit) should be a place for safe fun in the sun. The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC’s) Pool Safely program is designed to keep it that way by reminding us about a few water safety steps we might have forgotten over the long winter months.
Like the PSA above says — you can never know which safety measure will save a life, until it does.
According to the CPSC, proven water safety steps fall into three categories:
- Behavioral – actions that relate to personal responsibility and action
- Knowledge-Based – actions that relate to skills (swimming, CPR)
- Equipment – actions that relate to safety equipment
From a Behavioral standpoint, remember to stay close, be alert and watch children in and around your pool.
- Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa.
- Make sure your kids know basic water safety.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes, or other openings.
- Have a phone close by when you’re using the pool.
- If a child is missing, look in the pool first.
- Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.
Brush up on your Knowledge – learn and practice water safety skills.
- Learn to swim. Many of our local community pools offer lessons (talk to your pool manager for more information) or the Frederick YMCA has learn to swim programs available. Remember, swimming lessons aren’t just for kids. You might not want to admit it if you’re less than comfortable in the water, but taking a few lessons now is far better than feeling helpless in an emergency later.
- Learn to perform CPR on children and adults — and update your skills regularly. You have several local options for CPR lessons, including the Red Cross, HealthFirst CPR and even the FMH Wellness Center. Keep in mind the American Heart Association recently changed its stance on CPR. They now recommend bystanders use Hands-Only CPR.
Last, but not least, make sure you have the right Equipment on hand.
- Make sure your pool has a four-foot fence around the perimiter and use self-closing and self-latching gates. Ask your neighbors to take the same safety steps.
- If your house serves as the fourth side of a fence around your pool, use a pool alarm.
- Check your pool or spa for compliant drain covers.
- Have life saving equipment like life rings or floats available for easy use.
For even more information on pool safety, visit www.poolsafely.gov – and have a safe and fun summer!