Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Summer

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Swimming pools offer Ontario families an opportunity to have fun, be active and cool off during the warm summer weather. There are, however, dangers associated with swimming pools. According to statistics compiled by the Canadian government, drowning is the leading cause of death in children between 1and 4 years of age. Before pool season is in full swing is the perfect time to review some basic pool safety tips.

Supervise children

It is shocking how quickly a child left unattended at a swimming pool can drown. Parents who believe there is safety at the shallow end of a pool are mistaken. Children can drown in as little as a few centimeters of water, but taking the following steps could make for a safer day at the pool for children and their parents:

• Enroll children in water safety and swimming programs at an early age.
• Young children should wear some type of personal flotation device when in proximity of a pool.
• Parents and other adults who expect to supervise children at a swimming pool should take a course in first aid and basic lifesaving techniques, including CPR.
• Do not leave children unattended or allow them to be in the pool area unless there is an adult present whose attention is focused on them.
• Pool areas can be wet and slippery, so don’t allow children to run or play where they might slip and fall into the pool.

Limit access to backyard pools

Owners of in-ground swimming pools should install a fence around them to keep children out. Many municipalities have laws imposing requirements for the types of fencing that must be installed. Toronto, for example, requires a fence with a self-closing and self-latching gate. When installing a fence, consideration should also be given to installing closing mechanisms on doorways leading from the house to the backyard.

Pool safety covers offer another level of protection in addition to a fence. The covers are capable of supporting the weight of an adult and are designed to prevent someone from falling into the water at night or at other times when the pool is not being used.

Prepare for emergencies before the pool season begins

A person’s ability to respond to an emergency is greatly enhanced by preparing for it in advance. When it comes to swimming pools emergencies, it is a good idea to have the following items readily available at poolside:

• Lifesaving equipment, such as a rope attached to a safety ring
• Telephone or cellphone with emergency numbers in plain sight
• First aid kit

One way to avoid accidents and mishaps is by periodically inspecting the condition of steps, handrails, skimmers and other pool equipment and making needed repairs. Another simple safety measure to reduce accidents is to keep the area around a swimming pool free of toys, hoses and other tripping hazards. Keeping anything made of glass out of the pool area could prevent someone from suffering a serious injury requiring a trip to a hospital.

Ontario personal injury attorneys helping victims of swimming pool accidents

The personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have experience obtaining compensation for individuals injured in swimming pool accidents. Contact our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now about your rights as the victim of a swimming pool accident. Consultations are free, and we have offices conveniently located throughout Ontario.