Stay Safe at the Pool This Summer
With summer in full swing, this is a wonderful time to take a trip to the pool. Not only is swimming great exercise, but it’s a great way to cool off during the summer months. Not all pools have a lifeguard, so what steps can you take to protect yourself and your family from personal injuries? Consider these tips for poolside safety before your next trip to the pool.
Don’t Dive in a Pool
Kids don’t always think before they act, and it’s important to remind them of some basic pool safety measures. Remind them not to dive head-first into a pool. Most swimming pools simply aren’t deep enough to dive into and can cause serious head injuries if the circumstances are just right. Some pools do have a safe diving area, so if the pool has a designated area for that, make sure all head-first dives happen in that area.
Walk, Don’t Run
This is something that kids also have trouble remembering. If you’re at a public pool, remember to walk (not run) when you’re around the pool. It can get slippery with people applying sunscreen and lotion around the pool. Walking will help to prevent the risk of slipping and falling in or around the pool.
Swim with a Buddy
If you’re thinking about going to the pool alone, think about inviting someone with you. There’s safety in numbers and having a buddy with you would help if anything were to go wrong. If you don’t take someone with you, let someone know where you’re going and check in with them so they know you’re safe.
Similarly, swim with your kids! The best way to make sure they’re safe is to be in the water with them.
Check the Weather
Make sure that you check the weather before you plan to go to the pool. Don’t go swimming if there is a storm approaching. Some light rain might not hurt you, but if there’s lightning in the area, hold off until it’s passed. If there’s a heat advisory, you might also want to reconsider. It can be easy to lose track of time and there are dangers from being in extreme temperatures for long periods, even in the water. Bring sunscreen and make sure to use it regularly to keep your skin from being damaged by the sun – even if it’s cloudy.
Stay Away From Drains
Before going into a pool, locate if there are any drains or jets in the pool. Avoid those areas. If there are large pipes in or around the pool, make sure to keep an eye on your kids. Survey the pool for anything that your clothes might get caught on to keep safe. Try to limit baggy clothes or anything that could get caught in a drain.
Bring Safety Equipment
Make sure to bring a first aid kit with you to the pool. You’ll want to be ready to treat any injury. Consider bringing scissors just in case hair or clothing gets caught on anything in the pool and you need to cut it loose. Bring flotation devices when needed for smaller children. It’s always better to be over-prepared in these situations, and you never know, your safety gear may help someone else too!
Pay Attention
It can be easy to get distracted by a phone call or text message. Don’t bring your book to read when you’re with your kids at the pool. When you’re taking your family to the pool, the best thing to do to prevent injury is to pay attention. Make sure that you have eyes on your children at all times. If you have older children that can help you watch the younger ones, that’s great, but make sure that you also watch them as well.
Swim Sober
It can be very tempting to have a drink when you’re at the pool while you’re sunbathing and relaxing. It’s perfectly fine to do this, just don’t swim if you’re intoxicated. Alcohol impairs your judgment and can make it easier for accidents to happen in and out of the pool. Know your limits when you’re having a drink at the pool.
Learn CPR
If you don’t already know CPR, it’s a good idea to take a course and become educated on what to do in an emergency. Lifeguards are trained to be able to perform first aid and CPR, but often there isn’t a lifeguard to turn to in emergencies. Learning CPR not only protects your family but others as well. You never know when a situation will arise that you’ll need to know how to do CPR. Also, know the warning signs of someone drowning, know how to help someone who might have inhaled water, and learn the dangers of dry drowning. Having that knowledge might save someone’s life.
If you’ve had an accident at the pool and need legal advice, contact us today to learn about our services.