Pool Safety

Summer is here and those with a backyard swimming pool are the lucky ones. What a great way to cool off and enjoy the great weather. Each year however, many children drown or are injured in swimming pool and water related incidents. Most injuries occur through negligence, lack of supervision, a child slipping in the pool, entrapment hazards such as ladders, diving boards and filtration systems. Here are some safety guidelines to prevent pool drownings: recommended by Toronto-based Caliber Pools Inc.

Keep all garage or patio doors leading to the backyard locked.
At night, make sure there is enough lighting in and around the pool so that the bottom is visible at all times.
Build a fence surrounding the pool with a self-latching gate.
Enroll your kids in swimming lessons. Keep children who cannot swim close by.
Make sure your deck has a non-slip surface.
Children who cannot swim must always wear a life jacket or must be within arms' reach at all times. Water wings, or toys like pool noodles or inflatable rings are not guaranteed safety devices.
Stay out of the water during storms.
Store all pool chemicals out of reach and sight of children. Store chemicals in a cool and dry place, off the floor, if possible. Always read labels. Wash hands after use. Never add chemicals when swimmers are in the pool. Always add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals.
Make sure all electrical appliances and devices are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).
Keep a well-stocked first aid kit close by and keep a phone handy.
Only allow one person at a time on diving boards or slides.
Invest in CPR lessons.
Always have an adult supervising in and around the pool. Never leave children unattended (it only takes a few seconds for a child to drown and it's often silent). If it's a group of kids, count the kids, and make sure to recount frequently.