A swimming pool is an almost irresistible attraction for children. A pool also requires extra vigilance by homeowners and parents to ensure that everyone stays safe. So now that we're on the cusp of the official start to summer here in North America, we thought it would be the perfect time to gather up some tips on pool safety.

HAVING THE APPROPRIATE EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR POOL OR SPA

Whether you have a pool or a spa at your residence, poolsafety.gov has some important considerations for you:

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water.
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know.
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order.
• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm.

SEE ALSO: Boating: Safety Tips & Emergency Care

POOL RULES

The writers at healthychildren.org provide a short list of pool rules that are sensible and easy to follow to keep kids safe around our backyard water features:

• Keep toys away from the pool when the pool is not in use.
• Empty blow-up pools after each use.
• No tricycles or other riding toys at poolside.
• No electrical appliances near the pool.
• No diving in a pool that is not deep enough.
• No running on the pool deck.

Are you ready to respond in a drowning emergency? It’s never too late to take that CPR class! Let us help you find one near you.

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