Pool season has approached us, and your safety is extremely important! Immediately, when you hear pool safety you think about water safety, but there is more to pool safety tips than the horrible risk of drowning. Whether you own a pool, know someone with a pool or you are going to the city pool, below are useful tips from the pros!
Make sure children are supervised at all times.
Children unsupervised around large bodies of water could lead to so many different scenarios, none of them are good. Without thinking too much about the rabbit hole of possibilities and what can go wrong there, it is best to just make sure the children are always supervised as a rule of thumb.
Do NOT forget the Sunblock.
We know you have heard this so many times from doctors and other professionals, but your skin should be protected from the UV Rays. Yes, that even means to those that think they cannot burn. No one’s skin is 100% effective against the sun’s rays, so please apply sunscreen. Pay attention to the directions, because most of the time you need to reapply after a length of time; even shorter if you are active in water.
Avoid running at or near the pool area.
We know that it is warm outside, and you cannot wait to get into that amazingly cool water, but please be safe and walk. We know how tempting it is, even on the hot as lava pavement, to run and jump in can be. When you run at or near the pool area, slipping will most likely happen resulting in injury. We all have heard a lifeguard shout, “no running.” The last thing your family or you need is a trip to the hospital because you slipped and injured yourself when you should be enjoying the pool.
Stay Hydrated.
It is hot outside, and although you are in a body of water, it is still important to drink. Being dehydrated is not good for your body in any way. No, drinking alcohol and/or sugary drinks is not the same as hydrating your body with water. The human body needs it to survive – so drink up!
Know your limits and line-up help, if needed.
Knowing your limits can help in many ways. This could be if you are sipping on that refreshing glass of “lemonade,” or other delicious summer beverage of your choosing. Knowing when to slow it down, especially around water, could prevent drowning or other horrific accidents. Another way would be knowing if you are able to swim for a length of specific time, and not pushing it – you could get a cramp. Sometimes those cramps come from out of nowhere! If, for any reason, you are uncertain of your limits, have a buddy or partner there with you.
Safely use and store chemicals.
Although you swim in the pool, there are harsh chemicals that come to play when caring for a pool. Follow the directions on the bottle on how to utilize the chemical, as well as how to store it properly. The closer you are to the pool, the less likely the wind can pick up chemicals, if you are pouring them into your pool as directed by the instructions on the container. Please keep chemicals out of reach of children. If you are ever uncertain, reach out to the professionals here at Energy Center-Manhattan Pool.
Stay out of water during storms.
This should be a no-brainer, but there is always someone who likes to challenge the rules. If there is thunder, there is lightning. There are specific rules to follow prior to getting back into the water. However, it is important to know that electricity and water never mix! Plus, it is more fun to go swimming on a sunny day than on a rainy day.
Learn CPR and recognize signs of drowning.
Learning CPR has its benefits regardless of where you are or what you are doing. There are some great resources and videos from the American Red Cross about water and pool safety. It gives you the knowledge to help save someone’s life, if deemed necessary. Also being able to recognize signs of drowning can prevent a tragedy.
Keep safety equipment nearby or within reach during an emergency.
Keeping emergency equipment near the pool can help limit the response time and could be a determining factor in preventing an accident. This can be items such as a first aid kit and a form of a lifesaver ring. Preparing for most emergencies is always better than no preparation at all. Besides, time plays a major role when trying to save a life.
Bring toys out of water and put away – so kids don’t go back for them.
This title sums it up clearly. When you remove the toys out of the pool and the surrounding area and put them away, it is one step to prevent accidental drowning of children. Sometimes, when toys are left in the pool, there is a temptation to grab them right quick before going back into the house. Even one look away while a child grabs a toy can be enough for an emergency situation to commence. This one also goes hand in hand with making sure children are always supervised.
No horseplay of any kind should be tolerated.
This should be posted at every public pool out there. Horseplay can get out of hand which goes hand in hand with throwing safety out the window. This includes dunking, uncontrollable splashing, jumping in non-designated diving areas, pushing, shoving, etc. Even outside of water these can be very dangerous. Sometimes horseplay can be harmless, it is best to be overly cautious to prevent bodily harm or injury.
