The Importance of Safety around Swimming Pools

The most common cause of drowning occurs in children from ages 1 to 4 is in residential swimming pools. Most of these accidents occurred with one or both parents at home and were last seen within a five minute time period. Swimming alone, electrocutions and other accidents around pools are most likely preventable with common sense tips.

Thus, there are specific rules of water safety that should be followed in both public and private swimming pools. Adult supervision is first and foremost the most important asset for pool safety around children.

Safety Tips for Swimming Pools include the following.

Teach all children to swim as soon as possible.

Have fencing around pools with latches that are hard to reach by young children.

Always have an adult to supervise swimming activities

At least on family member should know CPR.

Keep a telephone near the pool at all times

Never swim near thunder or lightning.

Keep large toys that float out of the pool when not in use.

Never allow children to dive.

Install lighting for nighttime swims.

Do not allow running or horseplay around pool deck.

Keep pool deck areas clutter free.

Never have electronics near pool with cords

Caregivers must know how to swim when watching children.

Keep pool equipment and chemicals locked away from children.

Caregivers should have pool view from inside of home.

Never swim alone.

Highlights of Pool Safety Requirements in the state of Arizona include Section 36-1681of the law. For further information on Arizona laws check

A swimming pool that has at least 18 inches or water or more and is wider than 8 feet should have an enclosure at least 5 feet tall.

There should be no openings greater than one and three quarter inches.

Gates should be self-latching and self closing. The lock should be at least 5 inches above the gate top. The gate should open outward.

The wall cannot have opening, handholds or footholds that can be used to climb the pool barrier.

The fence or barrier has to be at least 20 inches from the water.

If the pool is at a home, there should be a minimum four foot wall, fence or barrier

The pool should be protected by a motorized safety pool cover which requires operation of a key switch device.

All doors on the ground level should have self latching devices.

Above ground pools must have non-climbable sides of at least four feet. Access should be removable when not in use.

Pool Safety measures are imperative for protection. Use these tips.