POOL SAFETY FOR CHILDREN American Academy of Pediatrics

POOL & SPA SAFETY PUBLICATIONS (PDF) US Consumer Product Safety Commission

SAFETY BARRIER GUIDELINES FOR HOME POOLS State of Florida ______________________________________________________________________

WATER SAFETY

As more swimming pools are built and more people enjoy them, the incidence of near-drowning and drowning continues to increase. Only by knowing the proper and safe use of the swimming pool can these tragedies be avoided. There should be a self-locking barrier between the pool and the house. This includes, but is not limited to, a fence with a self-locking gate, a self-locking door if the pool is adjacent to the house with no fence in between, and an automatic safety cover which is secured on all sides of the pool and can support the weight of several adults. Remember that no matter how many barriers exist around the pool area, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSTANT DIRECT ADULT SUPERVISION. It only takes a few seconds for a child to fall into the swimming pool and drown. Also, this is NOT limited to children. Anyone who is not able to swim is in danger of drowning if he or she falls into the pool. Under no circumstances should anyone unable to swim be allowed in the pool area unsupervised.

The American Red Cross conducts water rescue and CPR classes available to the public. Everyone is encouraged to enroll in these classes to become familiar with vital rescue and CPR procedures in the event someone were to fall into the pool. Contact your local American Red Cross office for more information on water rescue and CPR classes in your area.

A number of safety devices and tools are available to make the pool area safe and enjoyable. These include signs for pool safety and rules, life rings to throw to a person in trouble, �shepherd�s hooks� to use to extract an incapacitated person from the water, buoys and ropes to divide the shallow end from the deep end of a swimming pool, and alarms which emit a loud noise in the event someone were to fall into the pool.

Water and children can be a fun, enjoyable and healthy combination as long as a few simple safety rules are followed to prevent drownings and near-drownings. Adult supervision, effective barriers and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will help provide a safe and fun atmosphere for you and your family.

Swimcraft is strongly committed to reducing the number of drowning and near-drowning accidents so we have reprinted these helpful safety tips provided by the National Swimming Pool Safety Committee.

SUPERVISION

Never take your eyes off a child when he or she is in or near any body of water, not even for a second.
Running, pushing, shoving or horseplay should not be permitted.
Diving should only be done from the deepest end of the pool.
Only one person should use a diving board at a time.
Do not rely solely on barriers, such as fences or walls. This is no substitute for constant supervision.
Keep toys, tricycles, and other children�s playthings out of the water and away from the pool or spa.
Do not consider your children to be �drown-proof� because you enrolled them in swimming or �waterproofing� classes.
Do no rely on inflatable devices to keep your child afloat. These are not substitutes for adult supervision.
Illuminate the interior of the pool and the area around it with ample lighting. Be certain that a swimmer can be easily seen before allowing nighttime swimming. Be sure that all lights are in good working order.

BARRIERS

Make sure your pool or spa area meets all necessary barrier requirements such as a fence, wall or safety cover that guards against unsupervised access, particularly by young children. Make sure your children know how to swim. Learn basic water safety training, including rescue methods. Make sure doors leading to the pool or spa area are self-closing and self-latching, or are equipped with exit alarms, and are never propped open. Gates should have self-closing, self-latching mechanisms. Latches should be out of reach of young children and kept in proper working order. Make sure the safety cover is always closed when the pool or spa is not in use. Always drain standing (surface) water from the pool cover. Remember that even a few inches of water can be hazardous, especially to young children. Inspect the drain grates of your pool or spa. Immediately replace damaged grates. Steer activities away from drain grates and do not allow children to sit on them. The suction from a drain grate can hold a person underwater.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Learn how to administer lifesaving techniques to children, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Invest in basic lifesaving equipment and always keep it near the pool.
Inspect all lifesaving equipment regularly to ensure that it is in good condition and easily accessible.
Basic lifesaving equipment should include a ring buoy with rope attached and a rescue hook.
Keep a first-aid kit near the pool. Inspect the contents of the first aid kit frequently and replace supplies as they are used.
Install a phone, or keep a cordless phone, in the pool or spa area. Post the emergency medical services phone number (i.e., 911) in an easy-to-see place near the pool or spa, and make sure that everyone learns the phone number(s) and their address.

CHEMICALS

The chemicals used in a swimming pool pose a definite hazard to occupants and equipment. A few simple guidelines should be followed to ensure the safety of everyone. In this context, a �chemical� includes, but is not limited to, chlorine, acid, soda ash, any algaecide, diatomaceous earth, silica sand, and any cleaning agent.

Never mix any two chemicals together, either away from or in the pool water.
Never add water to a chemical . . .always add the chemical to water.
Never handle a chemical without the use of protective gloves and a form of nose-mouth protection. This can be a disposable fabric mask or a respirator.
Never add two different chemicals to the pool water at the same time . . . always allow at least 4 hours between applications unless otherwise directed by the chemical manufacturer.
Never allow anyone to use the pool within 4 hours after the addition of chemicals.
Never store any chemicals inside the house, in direct sunlight, or near the pool area. Keep all pool chemicals out of the reach of children.
Never store two different chemicals adjacent to one another. Leakage of one could cause them to mix and a chemical reaction could result.
Avoid contact of any chemical with the skin or mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth eyes, and nose. If this occurs, flush the area with water and consult a physician immediately. Be sure to have the container of the chemical nearby to inform the physician of the agent involved.
Be aware of the addition of any pool chemicals by another person, to avoid interaction or overdose.