Swimming pool and child – Safety rules

Swimming pool and child – What safety rules to keep in mind.

A favorite activity of young and old on hot summer days is diving and swimming in the pool. Pool activities are fun, a great form of exercise and can provide many opportunities for quality time with family or friends. Swimming pools are no longer only found in hotels and public swimming pools. Many homes have their own pool. The owners of the houses as well as those who use the pool must know the basic safety rules concerning children in relation to the pool. After all, it is important to know that even a child who knows how to swim can drown. So let's learn some basic safety rules to protect our children from any accidents.

General safety rules for children in the pool

• The pool should be surrounded by a railing (fence) so that a child cannot approach the pool without being accompanied by an adult. Key features of such a fence are:

– Be at least one meter tall
– Do not have furniture nearby that a child can use to climb.
– The maximum distance between the vertical rails should be 10 cm so that a child cannot pass through them.
– The door leading to the pool must always open outwards and close automatically.

• No child is left alone in the pool without the supervision of an adult who of course knows how to swim.
• If the child is very small (infants and children up to the age of 5) it goes without saying that the adult must be with the baby in the pool.
• Never rely on 'arms', life jackets or rafts as a substitute for constant supervision. Also keep in mind that a child can drown even in a very small pool with minimal water
• It is important for the adult to know that watching a child in the pool means not doing anything else, such as talking on the phone, with friends or drinking alcohol.
• Do not let children chew gum while swimming. They may drown.

Basic safety rules for those who have a swimming pool at home:

• If the pool is inflatable then after each use it should be emptied and deflated.
• Do not have electrical appliances near the pool.
• Do not let anyone dive in the pool because it is usually too shallow and too dangerous.
• Do not allow children to use bicycles around the pool.
• Don't let anyone run around the pool because they can easily slip and fall.
• Have rescue equipment (a long pole with a hook on the end – and life jacket) near the pool.

By Adam Hatzipanagi (Paediatrician)

Source : www.mikroimegaloi.gr