Swimming Pool Safety

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 300 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools each year. An additional 5000 - 6000 children are injured severely enough to need medical treatment.

There are many safety tips that parents with pools or spas can follow to help reduce the risk of drowning or injury.

• Make sure the pool or spa is properly sanitized and maintained. Use pool treatment chemicals safely and always read and follow the manufacturer's instructions shown on the label.
• Keep all treatment chemicals in closed containers and store in a cool, dry place. Make sure chemicals are kept out of the reach of children. As with any chemical, you should always wash your hands thoroughly after handling.
• Establish rules for pool use. Make sure kids do not run or play games near the pool. Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheeled toys, away from the pool or spa. Children playing with these could accidentally fall into the water.
• Make sure children using the pool or spa are properly supervised by an adult. Make sure you know if any of the individuals using your pool, especially the children, are nonswimmers.
• Keep electrical appliances, such as televisions and stereos, away from the pool or spa so that they cannot be knocked into the water accidentally. Extension cords should not be used around pools.
• Keep lifesaving equipment, such as a life ring, and a first aid kit nearby. Consider learning CPR and other first-aid techniques if you own a pool.
• Follow your community's building regulations regarding the type and height of the fence that surrounds your pool area. Any gates leading to the pool area should have a self-closing and self-latching mechanism to prevent unauthorized entry.
• If the weather appears threatening, make sure everyone leaves the pool area immediately and seeks shelter indoors. This is especially important during thunderstorms.
• Be sure to drain standing water from the surface of a pool cover, as small children can drown in even the smallest amount of water.

The following tips relate to specific components used in pools, spas, and hot tubs:

• Make sure your drain covers are designed to meet today's standards for preventing your body, limbs, and hair from becoming trapped. If you are not sure about your covers, call a pool or spa professional to check the covers. There are several independent labs, including NSF, which test these covers to make sure they meet current safety standards.
• If a drain cover is missing or broken, shut down the pool, spa, or hot tub until the cover is replaced. Don't ever play with the drain.
• Make sure an emergency shut-off switch for the pump is installed nearby and that it is easily accessible. Everyone should know where these switches are located and how to use them.
• Always follow the manufacturer's directions for the safe installation, use, and maintenance of pool and spa covers. The cover should always be completely removed before using the pool or spa to avoid the possibility of someone becoming trapped under the cover.
• Keep the temperature of the water in a spa at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or below. Most public health experts recommend that pregnant women and young children not use a spa without consulting with a physician.