Common-Sense Ways to Prevent Accidents In & Around Your Pool, Part 2

Working to ensure pool safety is every pool owner’s responsibility. In our first article in this series, we focused on a couple of vital ways you can work to prevent drowning accidents. Here are a few more to consider.

Make Sure Pool Depths are Clearly Marked

If your pool has a deep end, be sure to add signage along the pool’s edge letting swimmers know where the shallow end stops and the deep end begins. You can simply paint the different depths along the side of the pool the same way they’re designated at public swimming pools. That way those who aren’t strong swimmers will know not to venture out into the deep end. It’s also a good idea to extend a swimming pool safety divider across the pool. This is a rope with floats strung across it that will warn swimmers that the water is about to get deeper.

Explain & Post Pool Rules

Each time you invite people to your home to swim it’s a good idea to let them know some basic pool safety rules. Here is an example of some helpful pool safety guidelines:

No running on the deck or patio.
No diving in the shallow end (or no diving in the pool if your whole pool is shallow).
No rough play, dunking, or holding people underwater.
No swimming after consuming alcohol. (Obviously, this rule is for adults, as minors shouldn’t be drinking at all).
No children under 14 swimming without responsible adult supervision.
Non-swimmers must wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets in the pool at all times.

Post your rules on a large sign and place them near the pool. Go through them with your guests when they first enter your pool area. If any guests refuse to abide by your rules, you have every right to ask them to leave the pool area. Letting them know the rules right away should help make sure that everyone is on board with your safety standards.

Provide Life Jackets in Several Sizes for Your Guests

The last rule mentioned in the above list may be one that your guests don’t particularly appreciate. After all, they may feel like their child is perfectly safe wearing their cute, colorful inexpensive life vest or water wings. If you choose to allow them to wear these items in your pool, that’s your prerogative as a pool owner, but those items are not as reliable as a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. You may want to purchase several of these life jackets in different sizes if you’re more comfortable with your non-swimming or beginning swimmer guests wearing them.

Encourage Breaks for Fatigued Swimmers

One of the advantages to careful adult supervision of swimmers is that you’ll be able to monitor the children closely to see if any are showing signs of fatigue. Any swimmer who appears to be showing signs of struggle or tiredness should be encouraged to take a break from swimming for a few minutes.

Taking these steps can go a long way toward preventing drowning accidents in your pool. In our next article, we’ll consider some other safety-related issues you’ll want to address as a pool owner.

Lyon Financial

Since 1979 Lyon Financial has made the backyard resort dream come true for over 400,000 families across the U.S. Through our solid relationships with more than 3,000 pool contractors and our continued commitment to putting our clients first, we have built a reputation as the first choice in providing pool financing solutions. For more information, visit lyonfinancial.net or call (877) 754-5966 today.