Safety Tips for Summer Pool Fun

Submitted by Gwinnett Fire PIO

Backyard and neighborhood swimming pools are a great way to spend time with family and friends during the warm weather months.

Having a pool, spa, pond, lake or hot tub on your property is a huge responsibility when it comes to being safe.  It’s important to remember that a person can drown quickly in any amount of water.

Firefighters and safety advocates suggest following simple water safety rules to prevent emergencies:

• SUPERVISE – Never take your eyes off children in and around the water.  Designate a responsible adult to be a “Water Watcher” while at the pool, lake or river.  Teach children to never swim alone or unsupervised.

• USE BARRIERS – Fences with self-closing/self-latching gates and secured doors with access alarms can prevent small children from wandering into the swimming pool or hot tub.  Gates should close and lock automatically.  Latches for pool access should be out of the reach of children.

• AVOID ENTRAPMENT – Suction from a pool drain is so powerful in can easily trap an unsuspecting adult or child.  Use protective covers to keep swimmers safe.

• LEARN TO SWIM – All family members should learn how to swim.  Consider teaching children how to swim at a young age, usually around the age of four.

• KNOW HOW TO RESPOND – Learn CPR and know basic water rescue skills. Post emergency numbers by the telephone.  Have water rescue equipment such as a lifesaving ring and pole near the pool deck.

• FOLLOW THE RULES – Be sure to follow all posted rules.  No diving in the shallow end, no pushing and no running on the pool deck.  Obey the lifeguard if one is provided.

• OCEANS/LAKES/RIVERS – Swim in areas marked OK for swimming.  Pay attention to flags or other warnings signs.  Never dive in water that you can’t see the bottom of or if you don’t know how deep it is.  Wear an approved life jacket while boating or on the river.  Water wings and inner tubes are not substitutes for life jackets.

If visiting the Chattahoochee River, remember to call 1-855-326-3569 for water generation times at BufordDam.  Be alert to changing water conditions.

For additional information on swimming pool safety and preventing water related emergencies, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division or Safe Kids Gwinnett at 678.518.4845 or e-mail fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.