Twelve Steps for Backyard Pool Safety

About a month ago, my six-year-old grandson and his best friend were running around our backyard pool playing tag. Callister got too close to the pool’s edge and fell into the cold water. Before any of the five adults on the pool deck could get to him, he had swam to the side and hauled himself onto the deck. He was freezing cold and a little scared, but once he got warm and dry, he was fine. We were lucky.

This is our first summer with a pool in our backyard, so we are brushing up on what we must do to ensure safety for our grandkids and all their friends who will swim at our house this summer. These are some of the precautions we’re taking.

1. Fences

Per the City of Tulsa requirements, we have a fence around the pool that we keep locked.

2. Doors

All the doors that lead to the pool have extra locks and alarms.

3. Adult Supervision

We have had many safety talks with the grandchildren. They know the pool rules. The primary rule is that they cannot even go into the backyard without an adult with them. Close adult supervision is the ultimate safety precaution!

4. Water Watcher

The adult assigned to watch the children cannot be on their phone or any other device, and they cannot be under the influence of alcohol or other substances. That doesn’t make me popular, but I don’t mind being the meanie if it saves a life. You may think you don’t need a water watcher because there are many adults around the pool. The problem is the tendency for no one to be closely watching when they think everyone is watching.

5. Learn to Swim

My grandson is a good swimmer, but he and his sister will be taking swim lessons. Make sure they can swim if they fall in with their clothes and shoes on, precisely what happened to my grandson. Learning to float on their backs is a critical life-saving skill! Every child needs to learn how to float and turn on their back from any position. If a child can float on their back, their chances of surviving will drastically increase. Invest in good swim lessons for the children in your family and any adults who haven’t learned yet.

6. Bright suits

Wearing bright-colored suits is safer for visibility. Neon pink and neon orange are the most visible colors, making excellent choices for children’s swimsuits! On brutally hot Oklahoma summer days, consider adding a water shirt with built-in SPF and maybe a hat with a wide brim.

7. Say “yes” to life jackets and “no” to water wings!

My three-year-old granddaughter can’t swim well yet, so she will wear a life jacket when not working on her water skills with an adult. I do not want her to use water wings because they give parents and children a false sense of security. In reality, they can slip off, and the child can quietly slip under the water. They also put the child in a vertical position, which is not helpful for developing swimming skills.

8. Lifeguard

We are planning several summer swim parties where lots of kids will swim, and we will hire a lifeguard for these events. Yes, it’s extra money, but if it saves a child’s life, it will be more than worth it. Child drownings often occur at parties because everyone assumes someone else is watching the kids. Even when there is a lifeguard, you should keep your eyes on your child.

9. Know the signs of drowning

Last weekend, we heated the pool and had a family swim to celebrate my birthday. There were six adults and two young grandkids. My three-year-old granddaughter was about to go under when her mom grabbed her. My other daughter said something about how we would have noticed her splashing or yelling if she was drowning, but that is a common misperception. Most drownings are not like what is portrayed in movies. Drownings are usually silent and go unnoticed until the body is seen at the bottom of the pool.

10. Refresh your CPR skills

If you have a backyard pool, review your CPR skills again. Better yet, take a CPR class through the Red Cross!

11. Take safety breaks

My grandkids can stay in the pool for hours! We are starting a new rule of taking a five-minute break every hour. I’ll set an alarm, and when it goes off, everyone will have to get out of the pool and rest for five minutes. It’s a good time to go to the restroom, get a drink, and a snack. My grandkids may not need the rest, but I assure you that I do!

12. Rescue Equipment

Keep rescue equipment such as a throw ring or rescue tube on the deck. Have your address displayed prominently in case someone needs to call 911 and ask for help. Go over the concept of “Reach or Throw, But Don’t Go” with your children and grandchildren.

Having a swimming pool has been my lifelong dream, and I finally have it! With that dream comes some valid safety concerns. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four and the second leading cause of death for kids between five and fourteen. If you have a pool in your backyard, you must know the facts about drowning and take the necessary precautions. The only way to have a wonderful summer in your backyard pool is to ensure a safe environment.

Once you’ve followed the twelve guidelines above, fire up the poolside grill, call the neighbors to join in the fun, and build memorable moments in your pool. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!