You’ve worked hard to create a backyard oasis that’s perfect for summer fun, but do you have the pool safety equipment that helps ensure your friends, family, and pets are protected from accidental injury? Pool safety devices may not be the most glamorous part of pool ownership, but they’re an important part if you want to make sure you’re ready in the event of an emergency. There are certain features and equipment that all pools should have in order to make sure the wet and wild fun stays safe for everyone involved.
Creating A Safer Pool Area
Start by ensuring your pool area is equipped to help prevent accidental immersion and drowning. Pool safety equipment that provides a physical barrier between the water and people or pets aren’t only safer, some cities, insurance companies, and HOAs may mandate them for every pool in your area.
- Pool Safety Fences – Pool safety fences are designed to resist climbing, ripping, or bending should a child attempt to gain entry without parental permission, a curious pet try to get through to the water, or an adult stumble and find theirself falling toward the water. Made with poles that go into your ground or deck and a strong mesh netting, they install easily and can often be removed when not needed.
- Pool Safety Covers – This pool safety equipment is not to be confused with leaf covers, which actually present an increased risk of drowning should someone fall into a pool. Safety covers are anchored by sturdy rails and use a durable, rip-resistant material to “catch” someone and prevent them from falling into the water. They can then make their way to the pool edge and safely back onto solid ground.
Emergency Pool Safety Devices
While a safer pool area is always beneficial, care and supervision is needed to prevent injuries when the pool is in use. Active pool safety equipment helps you prevent potential injuries on an as-needed basis by assisting in the case of an emergency or stopping an emergency before it starts.
- Life Jackets And Floaties – Anyone who is not a strong swimmer–but especially younger children–should use a flotation aid when using the swimming pool. For kids under close supervision, there is an abundance of flotation devices meant to help young swimmers be safe while sharpening their skills. For adults and some kids, however, life vests may be a better choice. These devices hook around the torso and are designed to keep their head above water, even if they stray into a deeper area of the pool.
- Rescue Flotation Devices – Even strong swimmers need help sometimes, and every pool should include rescue flotation aids. Whether this pool safety equipment is in the form of the classic donut-shaped lifesavers or the more modern lifeguard flotation bars, they can be thrown to a distressed swimmer to grab onto or a strong swimmer can use them to help keep an unconscious person afloat while they’re towed to the edge of the pool.
- Grab Poles – Another way those out of the water–and potentially non-swimmers themselves–can assist a distressed swimmer is with a grab pole. This long, often telescoping rod lets them reach out to someone who needs assistance. Once the victim grabs the pole, they can be pulled to the side of the pool and helped out off the water. While some people use their telescoping net poles as impromptu grab poles, you always want to make sure they’re strong enough for the job.
- First Aid Kits – Every pool area should have a clearly marked, easily locates first aid kit as part of its pool safety equipment complement. It should be well stocked with an array of bandages that are helpful in treating cuts and scrapes, sprays and antibiotic ointments that help ease pain and keep wounds clean, and the other equipment necessary to manage the minor injuries that often happen during pool parties and backyard barbecues. Also included should be a CPR barrier mask that helps rescuers resuscitate someone needing CPR without subjecting them to the risk of aspirated material. While not technically safety equipment, as a pool owner, you should also pursue your first aid and CPR certification so that–if the need arises–you are ready to put these tools to use and save a life.
- Cell Phone – One of the most overlooked pool safety devices, a working cell phone (preferably water or splash resistant) should be available anytime the pool is in use. In an emergency, communication is key and seconds count. Not only may it be needed to dial 911, it could be used to call the parent of a distressed child, contact a poison control center, or be a valuable reference tool for minor incidents and injuries.
Be The Center Of Safe Summer Fun
Nobody expects or wants an emergency to happen at their pool, but you should always be prepared. That preparation begins with having the right pool safety equipment on hand, installed, and ready to use before an emergency occurs. If you’d like to know more about creating a safer pool area for your backyard, contact us through the website or give us a call at (702) 254-8450. Make a safe and beautiful pool area with Aqua-Safe Unlimited today.
