Swimming pools are fantastic, but they can be unsafe unless you take the proper precautions. A pool is a drowning hazard.
Table of Contents
Maintaining a Fence Around the Pool
Pools need to have fences. This is one of the first rules of pool ownership. You need to make sure that the pool is fenced even if you don’t have kids. If you do have kids, it’s more important to take a precaution like this. People with pets might also need to take some of the same precautions.
Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs are good at swimming. Indoor dogs without a lot of outdoor experience might not be able to swim very well. Certain dog breeds were actually bred as water dogs for hunting, but there are other breeds that are more or less hopeless in the water. If you have a dog, you should know in advance whether your dog is the type that tends to do well in the water or whether you might need a fence that your dog can’t jump.
The fence doesn’t have to be excessively tall. However, it should still be tough for most kids and pets to climb. The gate for the fence needs to be very tightly secured. Don’t underestimate kids: some of them are actually very good at getting through fences, simply by climbing over them. Other times they will move patio furniture to help them climb over.
Keeping the Pool Clean
You don’t necessarily have to use chlorine anymore. There are various antimicrobial agents that you will be able to use in order to maintain a clean pool environment. This is still one of the most important parts of pool safety, even though a lot of people believe that keeping the pool clean belongs in its own category.
You need to make sure that algal blooms are not going to affect the pool at all, and this can happen with pools that are not cleaned often enough. Bugs can also be drawn in by pool water, and this is less likely to happen if the pool is sterilized often enough. Keeping the pool clean is not particularly glamorous. However, it’s still an important part of making sure that everyone is safe while using the pool, or people are going to end up getting stung by wasps or worse in some cases.
Maintaining the Pool Lining
While maintaining the lining of a pool is partly about aesthetics, it is also about safety. People need to make sure that the bottom of the pool doesn’t have any sharp areas that could cause injury for the people swimming near the bottom of the pool. The same goes for the sides of the pool, especially since people will tend to come in contact with these areas as they are swimming.
Maintaining the Diving Board
If you have a pool that has a diving board, you need to make sure that the diving board is still stable and that it doesn’t have any major issues. It’s a good idea to get a diving board that can support a lot of weight.
Keep Emergency Supplies on Hand
If you have a first aid kit, a life vest, and similar supplies near the pool, it should be easier to handle emergencies. You should also make sure that there are lots of flotation devices that people can easily reach around the pool, even if they’re made of foam. This can help to prevent drowning accidents.
You shouldn’t worry too much about maintaining a pool and keeping it safe. However, you do need to be prepared for some of the emergencies that can happen. Don’t get too complacent, and everything should be all right.
