WATER SAFETY PART THREE: THE POOL
© Kathleen Newton
As we continue on the topic of water safety, the pool is where we find ourselves this week. In a pool, you certainly won't have to worry about meeting Jaws, but the pool presents its own unique set of hazards.
Not to sound like a broken record, if you've read the articles on ocean and lake safety, but just to remind you, there are four basic rules that apply to everyone, no matter where you're swimming:
LEARN TO SWIM: this one is pretty self-explanatory.
KNOW YOUR LIMITS: don't try to keep up with swimmers who are stronger and/or more advanced than you are.
NEVER SWIM ALONE: No matter how strong a swimmer you are, the unexpected can happen. ALWAYS swim with a buddy.
LEARN CPR: Unfortunately, drownings and near-drownings aren't uncommon. Incidentally, a near-drowning is one of the few instances where rescue breathing may be the only emergency action necessary.
Parents with young children must be especially watchful when their children are around a pool, whether you?re at home or away from home. If at all possible, avoid installing a pool in your yard until your children are over five years of age.
If your family has a pool:
*NEVER leave your children unattended around the pool, for any reason or any length of time.
*Make sure you have a fence separating your pool from your house and the rest of the yard. The gates on the fence should have self-closing and automatic locking mechanisms, to avoid a gate being improperly closed or latched. Make sure your children cannot reach the latches on the gates.
*Keep your pool covered when not in use, but remember that children can drown if they fall onto the pool cover. A POOL COVER IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR A FENCE AROUND YOUR POOL.
*Make sure you have rescue equipment (life preserver, pole, rope, etc.) near the pool.
*When you are using your pool, keep a cordless phone near the pool. This means you will not have to leave the area of the pool to answer the phone, and are able to call 911 from the pool area, if necessary.
*Make sure anyone supervising children around your pool knows CPR.
*Remove all toys from the vicinity of the pool after use, so your child(ren) will not be tempted to try to break in to the pool area to retrieve a toy.
If you do not have a pool, but visit one, make sure the pool you are visiting has:
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