Enjoy Your Apartment Community Swimming Pool Safely

The sun is out, and the pool will become the center of the summer universe before long. Enjoy it safely by making sure you and your kids follow the rules of swimming safety.

Never let children swim alone
There are a number of pool safety rules we all need to observe, but the most important one should be front and center: never let your children swim alone without an attentive adult present. The “attentive” part is stressed here, because a grown-up with earphones in or one who has fallen asleep in the sun won’t be as helpful in an emergency situation. Never take your eyes off children in the water, and if a number of adults are present, designate one of them as “pool-watcher.” Adults should not swim alone either, especially if alcoholic beverages are part of the equation.

Know where the kids are
An estimated 69 percent of children who die in swimming pool accidents were not supposed to be in or near the pool or spa, but were found there after it was too late. Don’t let complacency settle into your routine when it comes to life near a swimming pool. It’s easy, especially in social situations, to assume that someone else is watching the kids, while everyone else is indoors. Make sure kids know not to swim alone.

Safety around the pool
Once everyone is gathered for an afternoon of cool fun, be sure that pool safety rules are observed and that children know them, too. Always have a phone nearby when enjoying time at the pool.

If a child doesn’t know how to swim, make sure that they have a lifejacket or other flotation device on and an adult with them in the water.

Tragic accidents can happen when swimmers dive in the shallow end or hit the board before the water. Always make sure that diving happens in the deep end of the pool by children who are old enough to be on the board. And hold off diving until the previous diver is out of the water or safely out of the way.

When kids are excited and games are in the works, it’s tempting to run around the pool. Be sure to make children walk when they get out of the water. Keeping pool toys in the water and out of the path where someone could trip over them is also a good idea. Don’t ever allow tricycles, skateboards or other riding toys near the pool.

Though we now know that it is actually okay to eat and swim without waiting 30 minutes, you should probably avoid gorging and swimming, just to avoid indigestion. And, as much as alcohol can be a part of the pool scene for some, it should definitely be avoided for those who will be going into the water or watching children.

If your pool is near an outdoor outlet, be sure that all electrical appliances are kept at a safe distance from the water.

Learn safety skills
The first few minutes after an accident can make the difference between saving and losing a life. Learn basic life-saving skills, including how to perform CPR on children and adults, so that you can be effective in a swimming pool emergency. And, as obvious as it sounds, make sure you know how to swim and that your kids do, too.

Are you ready to enjoy your apartment swimming pool? Equipped with good safety sense, pool rules and some life-saving skills, you and yours can take refuge from the summer heat in the oasis just outside your front door.

Source: http://www.movingtoday.com/enjoy-your-apartment-community-swimming-pool-safely/