Drowning and other pool accidents are the major causes of deaths among kids today. Children under 14 years old are at greatest risk of drowning since they are active and playful around the pool area. With proper guidance, these calamities can be avoided. Meeting safety pool requirements can also help the home owners in keeping their pools safe.
There are several things you can do to prevent your kids from suffering any unexpected tragedies. This article will give you 5 pool safety tips on how to keep your kids secure and avoid penalties from councils.
1. Adult supervision in the pool at all times
The importance of safety can’t be stressed more when children are in the pool. Thus, parents or guardians should always be present when kids are using the swimming pool.
- For children aged under 5 years
A pool accident takes place in just a matter of seconds. For kids under 5 years old, they must not swim alone in any pools. The guardians must accompany them in the pool so they can reach them faster if anything happens. You must keep an eye on them especially when they are playing.
- For children aged 6-10 years
Children aged 6-10 years old also require active guidance. The guardian must be ready for in case the child needs help in the pool. Remember not to let an older child take care of a younger one.
- For children aged 11-14 years and non-swimmers
Children who are 11-14 years old are still at risk around pools. It is advised that guardians should pay attention to their children. They should frequently inspect where the children go or what they are doing around the pool.
2. Common ground rules for kids
Establishing ground rules can be very helpful in keeping your child safe. Children might become very excited when they are in the pool. You must make sure that you explain the rules to them clearly. These are the most common ground rules for kids:
- No running inside the pool area.
- No pushing other kids in the pool.
- No diving or horseplay.
3. Have safety devices in your pool
Pool safety devices can reduce disasters in pools to its minimum. You give extra protection to your kids by investing on the high-quality pool safety devices. These are some of the safety pool devices available:
- Safety Pool Alarms
Alarms can alert the guardians when their children opened the pool gates without supervision. These safety pool devices can provide additional security to your kids. The door and gate alarms are easy to install and can also be useful in detecting trespassers.
- Pool Covers
Pool owners can have pool covers to protect their pools. These covers can keep your pools from falling debris like twigs, small animals, and others. It is also a lot easier for you to clean the pool when you want to use it.
Swimming pool is a total attraction to young children. With the use of pool covers, you can avoid a child to go near a pool with supervision.
4. Have safety pool fence installed
Pool barriers are the most effective way of preventing your children from entering the pool area unaccompanied. Pool barriers are walls or barricades around the pool to restrict the access of children to the pool.
- Safety Pool Fence Requirements
In NSW, there are certain pool fencing guidelines that the pool owners must follow. To avoid penalties, you must adhere to this pool fencing standards carefully.
The safety fencing requirements include key pool fence measurements, non-climbable zone for children and pool fence maintenance.
- Safety Pool Maintenance
Pool fence must undergo proper maintenance to ensure its reliability. Maintaining pools will also ensure comfort and safety for everyone.
5. Have your pools inspected
- Inspection as a legal obligation
As part of the NSW pool standards, your pools must be inspected by the local council or a private certifier. It is the responsibility of every home owners to have their pools inspected. This is to ensure that pool barriers are safe and the pool requirements are all meet.
- Inspection for Compliance Certificate
If a pool is compliant to the government’s safety guidelines, the certificate will be issued to the house owner. A compliance certificate is needed for owners who want to sell, buy or rent a property with a pool.
Conclusion
Child drowning cases are rapidly increasing these days. Staying alert and being educated is one way to keep your child safe in the pool. With the pool tips mentioned above, you can have a safe and compliant swimming pool.
A reliable pool safety inspection company can not only provide inspection services to your pools, but also give you some more tips on keeping your pools safe. Private certifier can also offer pool repairs if needed. With the services they provide, you can avoid penalties from councils and your kids are “in the safe hands”.