Every May, we turn to National Water Safety Month to remind us and our customers how important safety is when in or around water.
It only takes a quick moment for the unthinkable to happen. A child, an adult, or a weak swimmer can drown so quickly. It can happen while you reply to a text, put on sunscreen, or turn your head. This is why water safety is so vital for anyone swimming in your pool (at the lake, in a hot tub, at the ocean, or even in the bathtub).
In this article, we highlight some of the most important things to keep you, your friends, and your family safe!
The National Water Safety Coalition – which is led by American Red Cross, the National Recreation and Park Association, Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, and World Waterpark Association – are encouraging citizens to stay “water aware” this May and throughout the year.
The City of Norman is a proud participant in this National Water Safety Coalition and supports water safety skills for residents through its swim lesson program for all levels of swimmers. The City says everyone should learn to swim and learn basic water safety skills to stay safe in and near water!
Swimming pools and spas are great places for family fun. However, you should ensure everyone follows these simple safety steps to stay safe in and around the water.
1. Never leave a child unattended in or near water.
Designate an official Water Watcher, an adult tasked with supervising children in the water. If you're having a party, trade off adults so no one has to do it the whole time.
2. Teach children how to swim.
Swimming is fun and a lifesaving skill! Make sure all swimmers in your pool can swim.
3. Teach children to stay away from drains.
Tell your kids not to swim near drains or suction outlets. Their hair, arms and legs, jewelry, and even bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening!
4. Ensure your pool has compliant drain covers.
Faulty drain covers can trap children and even adults at the bottom of the pool. To avoid deadly problems, make sure your pool has a drain grate or cover that meets safety standards.
5. Install proper barriers, covers, and alarms on and around your pool and spa.
Proper fences, barriers, alarms, and covers can be lifesaving devices. Consider a fence of at least four feet in height around your pool. Make sure kids can't climb it. Install a self-closing and self-latching gate. You can also install a door alarm from your house to the pool so you know if someone is going outside.
6. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.
Make sure that someone in your home is CPR certified so they can help in the case of a drowning.
7. Take the Pledge
Before spending time in your pool, have kids take the following pledge!
Take the Water Safety PledgeAnother way to help kids safe in the water is to have them take this pledge. Then, you can give them all their Safe Swimmer Certificates.
Have the kids take the pledge any time you have them over to swim (and do this with your own kids).
Let your kids watch this video from Laurie Berkner and help them stay safer around the pool - it only takes four simple steps!
At Spartan Pool and Patio, we take water safety seriously! If you ever have any questions, please ask!
We'd love to help!