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years of age drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. The commission estimates
that another 3,000 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms following
submersion accidents each year. Some of these accidents result in permanent brain damage.
Nationally, drowning is the fourth leading cause of death to children under five. In some states, such
as California, Florida and Arizona, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death to children under five. We care about your family’s safety. The information in this document has been compiled to increase pool owner awareness.
RECOMMENDED SAFETY EQUIPMENT
PERSONAL ALARMS
These are small devices the child wears like a wristwatch. When the transmitter is fully immersed in water it sends a signal to the monitor which the parent wears much like a beeper on their belt. As soon as the signal is received, the monitor goes off, providing the parent with a warning that the child has fallen in the water. It will also produce a different tone with the child goes out of range.
LIFE HOOK
This is a 16ft. pole with a large hook on the end that can pull an unconscious victim from the water without the rescuer having to enter the pool. This is a mush have item if the supervisor is weak or a non-swimmer.
LIFE RINGS
These are Coast Guard approved rings that can be thrown to the victim if they are conscious. Never use non-Coast Guard approved rings as they can break in half or not provide enough buoyancy to rescue the victim.
SAFEY ROPE FLOATS
These rope floats are designed to be stretched across the middle of the pool and define the shallow end and the deep end of the pool.
POOL SIGNS
Post pool rules and a CPR sign in the pool area. These sings are weather proof and can be left up year-round.
LIGHTNING DETECTOR
This device can detect lightning strikes up to 40 miles away. It sounds like an alarm and indicates how far away the storm is when I lightning strike is detected.
LASER PERIMETER ALARMS
These can be used either outside or inside the safety barrier fence. However no electronic device should be used to replace the physical barrier of a fence. These alarms cover a large area and are invisible to the naked eye. Placed between the safety fence and the pool, they can provide an early warning before the child reaches the water.
MAGNETIC LATCHES AND SELF-CLOSING HINGES
These are an absolute must for your safety fence gate. They provide a positive lock every time the gate opened and closed.
GATE ALARMSInstall this type of alarm if you are not using a self latching, self closing system or even if you are, to provide yet another layer of protection.
AUDIO VISUAL MONITOR
This relatively new concept in pool safety, extends the range of the parents ability to supervise the children. The monitor should have a remote camera that transmits both sound and video. These monitors are battery operated and use radio waves instead of cables, so are portable and can also be used to listen for an absence of sound.
SAFETY COVERS
These extremely strong covers are anchored into the deck so a child can literally walk across the cover without falling in. The drawback is they do require some time and effort to put on and take off.
SAFETY SPA COVERS
These rigid covers have the ability to be locked down on top of your spa or hot tub. Remember, both children and pets can drown in a spa.
ABOVE GROUND POOL FENCING
Free standing above ground pool walls generally serves as their own barrier. If the pool wall is less than 4 feet of if there is a possibility a child could defeat the wall, additional above ground fencing should be attached to the top of the pool.
SAFETY FLIP UP LADDERS FOR ABOVE GROUND POOLS
A-frame ladders allow access into a freestanding above ground pool. The outside steps can flip up and lock so entry into the pool by small children is difficult or impossible.
POOL SAFETY RULES & PRECAUTIONS
- Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches. Let the babysitter hear each type of alarm so that when it goes off they know exactly where to go. Emphasize the need for constant supervision.
- Do not allow young children in or around the pool without an adult.
- During social gatherings near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher” to protect young children from pool accidents.
- Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision
- Never use a pool or spa with its pool cover partially in place since children may become trapped under it.
- Have a telephone poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended near the pool.
- Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Babysitters and other caretakers, such as grandparents and older siblings, should also know CPR.
- Post pool rules in the pool area. Go over rules with family and guests then make sure they are enforced.
- Never dive into above-ground pools, as they are too shallow.
- Dive with your hands in front of you and only from the end of the diving board and not from the sides.
- Never swim alone or dive if you have been using alcohol or drugs
- Never slide down pool slides headfirst, slide down feet first only.
- Steps and ladders leading from the ground to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use.
- If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool
- Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children to the pool.
- Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.
- Check and test all electronic devices that protect your pool at least weekly. Make sure that you have the proper battery sized and voltage on hand if you need them.
