May 20–26, 2019 is Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. This year’s theme is “Pool Chemistry for Healthy and Safe Swimming.” Positively Osceola would like to remind everyone about these important safety tips to stay safer while in or around the pool.
NEVER leave your child unattended in or near water! Designate an official Water Watcher, an adult tasked with supervising children in the water. That should be their only task – they shouldn’t be reading, texting or playing games on their phones. Even if a lifeguard is present, parents and caregivers should still take the responsibility of being a designated Water Watcher.
Teach your children how to swim. Swimming is not only fun, but it’s also a lifesaving skill. Enroll children in swimming lessons.
Teach children to stay away from drains! Do not play or swim near drains or suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools, and never enter a pool or spa that has a loose, broken or missing drain cover. Children’s hair, limbs, jewelry or even their bathing suits can get stuck in a drain or suction opening.
Install proper barriers, covers, and alarms on and around your pool and spa. Proper fences, barriers, alarms, and covers can be lifesaving devices. A fence of at least four feet in height should surround the pool or spa on all sides and should not be climbable for children. Teach children to never try to climb over the gate or fence. Install a door alarm from the house to the pool area, and keep the pool and spa covers in working order.
Know how to perform CPR on children and adults. Often, bystanders are the first to aid a drowning victim, so learning CPR can help save a life. CPR classes are available through many hospitals, community centers, or by contacting the American Red Cross.
Summertime brings heat and what a better way to cool off than spending a little time in the pool. Enjoy quality pool time with friends and family but remember to follow these safety tips to help prevent any accidents from happening.
