Keep Your Family Safe During Pool Time at Home

Guest post by Alex Robbins

Image via Pexels

With the weather getting hotter and more families reopening their backyard pools for the summer, it’s crucial for parents and their children to take the time to revisit the rules of pool and swim safety. Below, we’ve included a list of essential resources and tips to keep families safe and healthy in their backyard swimming pools — all spring and summer long.

Create a Safe, Secure, and Fun Pool Area

To prevent drownings, slips, falls, and other pool-related injuries, be sure to complete these steps whenever you’re getting ready to reopen your backyard pool for the season. 

• Follow common safety precautions to protect your children from drowning, slipping, and other potential hazards around the pool.
• Equip your pool area with a life ring, first aid kit, emergency information, cordless telephone, and float line.
• Review the CDC’s recommendations on preventing drowning, handling pool chemicals, and killing potentially harmful germs that may be present in the water.
• Make your pool area a space where your family can gather and will enjoy all summer long by adding outdoor furniture, a grill, fun floaties, and even a great sound system.

Photo by Edneil Jocusol from Pexels

Teach Your Kids to Swim Properly

To keep your little ones safe in the water, it’s important that they know how to swim properly. Here are some essential tips for teaching your kids to swim safely at home.

• You can start small by teaching your kids how to kick and blow bubbles in the water. You don’t even need a swimming pool. You can use a bathtub or kiddie pool for this. Then pack away bath toys in MiniOwls bathroom organizers.
• Avoid these common errors when teaching your little ones how to swim at home.
• Swim and play games in the shallow end of the pool until your child learns how to swim.

Photo by Toni Cuenca from Pexels

Prepare for Swim Emergencies

Even if your children, teens, and guests know how to swim properly, it’s important to understand your legal responsibilities as a pool owner — and prepare for any swim emergencies that could occur on your watch.

• Know how to recognize and respond to all types of swim emergencies and injuries.
• Learn how to perform CPR in the event of a near-drowning.
• Know your rights and responsibilities as the owner of a swimming pool.
• Make sure your homeowners’ insurance policy covers your backyard swimming pool.

There are many wonderful benefits of spending time outdoors and swimming, but only if you’re following safety precautions. By keeping these tips and resources in mind as you get ready to reopen your swimming pool for the season, your kids will stay safe, healthy, and active as they swim all summer long!