| Having a swimming pool installed on your property | | | | possible. |
| can bring your family many hours of enjoyment. | | | | Safety equipment has proven to be highly |
| There are however, responsibilities that come | | | | effective in reducing the number of drowning |
| with owning a swimming pool, particularly if you | | | | where children are concerned. Pool covers and |
| are teaching your children to swim. When it | | | | alarms should be installed and used at all times |
| comes to children, you can never be too safe. | | | | while you are not in the pool. |
| According to the Consumer Product Safety | | | | Once you have taken all the necessary |
| Commission, you should have fences around your | | | | precautionary measures, you should consider |
| pool that are at least four feet high with no foot | | | | learning CPR and make sure that you have |
| or handrails. The slats on your fences should be | | | | emergency flotation devices in good shape and |
| less than four inches apart. This is so that children | | | | close at hand when your children are swimming. |
| can not get through them. You should also have a | | | | Emergency telephone numbers should be posted |
| self-closing gate that is also self-latching installed | | | | on all telephones. |
| and the latch should be completely out of the | | | | After your children have finished swimming for |
| reach of children. | | | | the day, be sure to put away all pool toys and |
| When teaching children to swim there are other | | | | flotation devices to keep children from trying to |
| precautions that you should also meet. Be sure to | | | | retrieve them and possibly falling in. |
| teach your children that running or pushing around | | | | The most important precaution that you can take |
| the pool is dangerous and never allow them to | | | | when you are teaching kids to swim is to |
| dive in areas that are not deep enough or marked | | | | supervise them at all times. Even if you are at a |
| for diving. | | | | barbeque or party, make sure that at least one |
| When the weather turns bad, particularly if | | | | adult is left in charge of watching all children in the |
| lightening is involved, then they should know to | | | | swimming pool. You should never assume that |
| instantly vacate the swimming pool. Keep in mind | | | | just because your child has a flotation device that |
| also that children should never be allowed to swim | | | | he or she will be safe. The only true way to |
| un-chaperoned. Just because your child may know | | | | ensure your child's safety while swimming is to |
| how to swim is no reason to ever leave them in | | | | keep an eye on him or her. Be sure to always |
| the water unsupervised. Be sure that an adult is | | | | talk with your children about water safety even |
| present with children at all times while they are in | | | | when they are not in the pool. |
| the water. | | | | Teaching water safety at a young age is an |
| Remember that seconds count when it comes to | | | | excellent way to avoid potential accidents. |
| emergencies in the water. Be sure to always | | | | Teaching your children to swim can be a very |
| have a cordless phone or a mobile phone with | | | | exciting and frightening experience. Just ensure |
| you when your child is swimming. Have the | | | | that you have followed all safety precautions and |
| emergency number or 911 on speed-dial for | | | | that your children know that they are only |
| emergencies to save additional time if and when | | | | allowed to be in the pool when an adult is present. |
| an emergency situation does arise. | | | | Safety precautions allow you to enjoy your |
| If you happen to receive a phone call while your | | | | swimming pool without the worries of |
| children are swimming be sure not to take your | | | | emergencies happening. |
| eyes off of them and end the call as soon as | | | | |