Family Fun and Fitness: Priceless Pointers for Swimming Pool Safety


Swimming is a timeless form of family entertainment and a great way of spending your leisure hours with your children, provided you can enjoy a safe swim.

Unfortunately, when you use a public swimming pool, there is the possibility of not just the dangers associated with children swimming such as getting into difficulties if they not supervised at all times, but also recreational water illnesses to be wary of.

Remember your LAAPS 

According to law firms like The Reeves Law Group of Los Angeles, there are many examples of claims being made against negligent pool owners for injuries and illnesses caused to their patrons.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should remember LAAPS when using a public pool. This acronym refers to a series of simple steps that you should take to keep yourself as safe as possible from becoming ill due to a number of possible factors related to the water and surroundings.

Look at the pool and surroundings to see if the water looks clean and clear and that the pool sides are not slippery. Ask pool staff questions about how often they check the water and if all staff are fully trained Act by being proactive and warning others as well as staff members if you see anything wrong or realize that the water does not have the sufficient amount of chlorine in it.

Practice safe and healthy swimming behavior at all times Safety should always be a priority, so that you can enjoy a safe, healthy and fun swim.

Residential pool safety

The same rules of safety and responsible behavior apply whether you are using a public or a residential pool. If you are using a family pool, the responsibility of keeping your children free from danger and illness lies with you, if you are the pool owner.

Always make sure that children are supervised at all times, as it only takes a few seconds for them to get into trouble and make sure that you teach them basic safety tips so that they are aware of the dangers and have an idea of what to do in an emergency. It is often a good idea to have a phone poolside whenever anyone is using the swimming pool, so that you can quickly call for help if an emergency scenario arises.

Another layer of safety would be to acquire some basic life-saving skills and also take a course on CPR techniques, so that you are better equipped to deal with a potential life or death situation.

Pool equipment It is not just the swimming pool itself that presents a potential danger to family and friends using the facilities. The swimming pool should be surrounded by fencing that is at least four-feet tall and has a self-latching gate for access, so that you can control access to the pool area. Also make sure that any pool or spa that you have has suitably compliant drain covers and ensure that any chemicals used are kept away from children after you have carried out your checks and maintenance. Swimming is great fun and an excellent family activity, just make sure you are always vigilant when it comes to keeping everyone safe and looking out for possible dangers and problems. Ann Johnson is a family counselor. She loves sharing her insights online. Her articles appear mainly on family and lifestyle sites.


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