Remember your pool safety this summer!

Pool season is finally here! With it comes a chance to revisit the Pool Safety Rules and Guidelines with your family and friends. It is important to make sure that everyone who will be using your pool and spa know the safety rules and guidelines to insure a wonderful pool season.

Post the pool and spa rules near the entrance of the Pool or Spa so that every time you get in you can view them.

Have your children take the Safe Swimmer Pledge:

1. I pledge to never swim alone

2. I pledge to never play or swim near drains or suction fittings

3. I pledge to always dive feet first

4. I pledge to obey the pool rules

You can go here to download a certificate to give them as a reminder about being safe in the pool.

Follow these Water Safety Tips from the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF)

  • Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
  • Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision.
  • Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools.
  • Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms.
  • Have a phone by the pool with emergency numbers programmed into speed-dial.
  • Post CPR instructions and learn the procedures.
  • Keep rescue equipment poolside.
  • Keep a first aid kit at poolside.
  • Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first; seconds count in preventing death or disability.
  • Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
  • Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
  • Don’t rely on swimming lessons, life preservers, or other equipment to make a child “water safe.”
  • Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
  • Don’t leave chairs or other items of furniture where a child could use them to climb into a fenced pool area.
  • Let us not forget our 4 legged friends that like to have fun in the pool as well. We love our pets and they love to come play with us in the water so let’s make sure they are safe too.
  • Try not to let them drink the pool water, keep fresh water handy for them instead
  • Wash them off after their dip in the pool so the chlorine does not dry their skin
  • Make sure your dog knows where to enter and exit the pool safely, so they don’t hurt themselves clawing at the sides of the pool.
  • Just as with kids, take it slow and don’t overdo it. They get tired too.
    • One sure sign your dog is getting tired is that their back end begins to droop in the water, when this happens, it is time for a break
  • There are life vests available for all shapes and sizes of dogs.
    • Certain dogs such as breeds with shorter legs and broad chests (bulldogs, Corgi’s, Pugs, etc.) are not effective swimmers. They may need the support of a life vest.
    • Heavily muscled dogs such as Greyhounds with little body fat will not be as buoyant in the water and might need the life vest for support.

Always have a plan for First Aid.