It is more important than ever to be aware of safety measures you can take to keep your children safe when playing in or around the pool.  Whether it’s a public pool or the fun in your own back yard, it’s important to take precautions to ensure the safety of your children.

Before your child enters the pool, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and what and who is there to help in case of an emergency.  When at a public pool, find out where the lifeguards are stationed, where the bathrooms are, and where the safety devices such as life jackets or life preservers are located.  Most lifeguards are certified in CPR, but it would be beneficial to know exactly who to call on if CPR is needed.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to maintain constant supervision of your children while in or around the pool.  FamilyEducation.com provided these statistics:

At the time of the incidents, most victims were being supervised by one or both parents. Forty-six percent of the victims were last seen in the house; 23 percent were last seen in the yard or on the porch or patio; and 31 percent were in or around the pool before the accident. In all, 69 percent of the children were not expected to be at or in the pool, yet they were found in the water.

Another safety precaution is to make sure any and all of the drains have a cover.  This will ensure that your child cannot be sucked onto it, and will keep long hair from being suctioned into the drain.  Additional tips from the MorningCall.com are:

•Make sure the pool is safe. Look for clear water, a covered drain and a fence around the pool.

•Have rescue devices, such as life jackets and swim aids available.

•Hire a certified lifeguard and make sure someone knows CPR and water rescue.

•Have your child learn to swim through certified swimming lessons.

•Set ground rules, such as no running and no pushing around the pool.

•Stay within an arm’s length of your child.

It is important to teach your children about water safety and help them to understand the dangers associated with swimming.  The surprising number of deaths every year caused by drowning can be avoided by taking the proper precautions.

Listed below are other resources that address water safety for children:

American Academy of Pediatrics – The Injury Prevention Program (TIPP) –  materials for parents about home water hazards for children

Safe Kids USA – information about pools and hot tubs, drain covers, SVRSs to prevent entrapment, safety checklists, links to national research study about pool safety

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – water-related injuries fact sheet, CDC research, and information on water safety and water-related illnesses and injuries

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) – safety-barrier guidelines for home pools and brochure about preventing childhood drowning

If anyone has additional water safety tips, please mention them below!

#LehighValleyHomeExpert
#LehighValleyPA


Why Choose Our Team?

Each member of the team is an expert in their area and contributes to the synergy. Our well tested systems will smooth the way from starting line to contract dotted line. Contact us for Real Estate services that exceed your expectations and help you achieve your home buying and selling goals.

Visit www.LVhomeExpert.com and visit our Facebook Page to view videos of homes for sale in the Lehigh Valley, Pa, client testimonials, and other helpful real estate information!