Summer is here!
For many of us, that means fun in the sun. And what better way to spend the warmest season of the year than making memories with family and friends in the pool?
But whether you’re in your backyard or visiting the neighborhood pool, safety should always be at the top of your list of concerns.
Even the strongest swimmers are at risk when they go in the water. Dehydration, muscle cramps, or other sudden injuries can put them in grave danger without warning.
Naturally, the risk for children is much higher.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that aside from congenital disabilities, drowning is the leading cause of death in children one to four years old…
And most of these accidents happen in home swimming pools.
But as with most emergencies, when you take the proper precautions, you all but eliminate the risk and create the fastest path to handling these situations if they do occur.
To keep you and your family safe this summer, we put this guide together to share how you can prevent and handle emergencies at the pool.
Let’s get started with prevention.
Prevention Tips
The following are crucial steps to take in making sure your loved ones and guests are safe when playing at the pool, including recommendations from the CDC:
- Put your little ones in swim lessons – This may sound like a no-brainer, but if you’re unable to teach your children how to swim at home, formal classes can significantly reduce their risk. What’s more, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can start them as early as their first birthday.
- Never leave a swimmer unattended – No matter how old you are, never swim alone if you can avoid it. As we mentioned above, unexpected injuries can happen in the water that can affect your ability to stay afloat. Having someone there just in case of an emergency is one of the best ways to stay safe in the pool. And, of course, never leave a child in the water unsupervised.
- Get your CPR certification – CPR stands for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and can save lives if someone loses consciousness from being underwater for too long. If you can, make time to get your certification to protect your loved ones in an emergency. Learn CPR. The American Red Cross hosts certification courses all across the country.
- The more fence, the better – The CDC recommends installing a four-sided fence (at least four feet high) that completely closes off your pool to prevent outside access. Gates should close and latch automatically, with the latches high enough to where children can’t reach them. To prevent any wandering –– whether by elderly loved ones with cognitive issues or wayward children –– you can add alarms to your sliding glass door or other outside access points for extra security.
- Remove all temptation when not using the pool – When pool playtime is over, make sure to put away any floaties, pool noodles, and other water toys. After playtime, remove all toys from the pool area and store them out of sight so children won’t be tempted to go into the pool area unsupervised.
- Teach pool rules and lead by example – “No Running” and “No Diving” are the golden rules of pool safety for a reason. Do your best to educate your little ones on these safety standards and others like avoiding the deep end and horseplay in the pool.
- Always check the forecast – If summer sun by the pool is on the schedule, make sure to keep an eye on the weather. The last thing you want is a lightning storm or other potentially dangerous natural event creeping up on you unexpectedly.
- Don’t drink and swim – Not only does being under the influence of alcohol affect your motor skills and decision-making, but the CDC claims that it’s a factor in almost three-quarters of all adolescent water recreation-related deaths. If you’re going to partake, do so poolside. And if you’re a caregiver or a parent watching their children play in the pool, avoid alcohol altogether.
Send Help to Your Address Instantly With the Rescu Mobile Medical Alert System
Even when we take all the necessary precautions, emergencies can still catch us off guard.
If a loved one gets injured or has a water-related accident at your home pool, the Rescu app is the fastest way to get help.
Whereas 911 requires you to talk to an operator and answer a series of questions to explain your situation, the Rescu medical alert system lets you dispatch help in just two taps on your phone.
When you set up your account, you pre-register your home address. So all you have to do in case of a crisis is select the services you need: fire, police, or medical.
And coming soon this summer, the Rescu Prime subscription will turn your phone into a GPS medical alert system.
For your poolside fun this summer, Rescu can be your lifesaver for as little as $7 a month. No lengthy contracts. No hidden fees.
Click below to download today.
P.S. Keep an eye out for our GPS medical alert subscription: Rescu Prime. Coming soon!