The temperatures are warming across America and that means swimming pools will be crowded everywhere. During the spring and summer months, millions of children will be swimming in their backyards or in a friend’s pool, and unfortunately this is the time of year when child deaths by drowning are very high.
Year after year, we are reminded by the news and local officials to watch our children anytime they are even near a pool yet we still see every season a news report about local children drowning. Young kids are so eager to go swimming and splash in the water but they are not yet able to understand how dangerous a pool really is.
To keep your child and pool area safe this year, we found some extra precaution tools to make pool safety better and prevent accidents. These tools are to be used in addition to a very vigilant, responsible adult to keep a close eye and be proactive in the event of a catastrophe. These are simply extra measures to keep kids safe before the last second.
Children drown for many reasons, but one of them is that they walk through the back door that was left open while Mom is stirring the pasta and next thing you know, her two year old has fallen or jumped into the pool but can’t swim. Sometimes they open the door themselves and sneak out, so an excellent device to alert you before a disaster happens is essential. Try installing pool door alarms on all your doors that lead to the pool area. Our sliding doors and all doors into the backyard are armed with these alarms so they will sound as soon as it is opened by a child. For adults we just hit the button, way up at the top of the door then walk outside to silence the alarm when we walk through. Alarms for gates and fencing can also be installed outdoors.
Once you get outside for a BBQ or pool party, we still need protection outside so parents can keep an eye on every child even when the pool and deck is packed. BrickHouse, the maker of GPS child locator systems, makes a unique pool alarm to sound when a child jumps or falls into the pool. For any child that isn’t supposed to be in the pool unless with an adult, they can wear a wristband alarm on their wrist that will sound when submerged and the wristband is only removable with a key for Mom to unlock once inside. The band also works on pets! Additional wrist bands can also be purchased.
If you have stairs leading to the deck area or a place where a pool gate can be installed to block children from entering unsupervised, an alarmed pool gate is another life saving investment. Just like we put an alarm on our doors, we can alarm our gates that surround the pool and deck areas so parents will be alerted by alarm should a child try to get to the pool alone.
These measures will all help greatly to keep our focus on pool safety and help keep kids alive but we need to remember in the pool, it is our responsibility to keep their heads above water. A life jacket is the only approved device to save a child’s life and properly keep them afloat. Life vests are sold at Target stores, sports stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods, pool stores, online at Amazon or Ebay, and other stores online. Be sure to only buy federally approved life vests recognized by the safety administration and the United States Coast Guard.
Even with all these gadgets, the number one tool in preventing pool injury and death is your supervision at all times at home, by the pool, in the tub, or at the lake or beach. It is the responsibility of watchful eyes to ensure kids do not drown or become hurt by the water.
