1. Pool Safety Can Save a Life
The Australian summer is almost here. Once again the ruthless heat will send you or
your family into the garden in search of a cool dip in the pool. Perhaps it’s time to check
on a few safety measures to ensure that your children and their friends will be safe.
Does your pool have a fence? If not, why not? It is distressing when pool owners don’t
place a fence around their pools because they reason that there are no small children in
the home. Young children have legs and their young limbs might take them into a
neighbour’s garden in search of a lost ball. Visitors’ children might also wander into your
garden when no one is paying attention to them. If you aren’t sure of fencing
regulations, pool inspection Brisbane will provide some guidance.
Even if your pool does have a fence, there are still some rules that you should follow. Be
vigilant! Watch your children or other people’s children if they are playing in your garden
or splashing in the pool. Drowning, which is the biggest cause of accidental deaths for
young children, can be prevented. A child can be struggling for life if out of sight for only
a few moments. Always be at arms’ length.
Keep you pool fence gate locked. The gate should be made so that it is self-locking.
When opened it should spring back to its closed position as soon as it is released.
Portable/inflatable pools can be just as dangerous when filled with water. If you own
one, always make sure that it has been emptied when not in use. A child can drown in
only a few centimetres of water. Use the same safety precautions for above the ground
paddling pools as you would have for a large permanent pool. If you employ a child
minder, make sure that the person in charge of your children is aware of the danger of
not keeping an eye on them at all times.
Whether adults or young children are playing in a pool, long hair should be tied back so
that it is not hanging loose. Even loose or long hanging jewellery can also be dangerous
if swimming close to pool drains. Teach your children to stay away from drains because
of their suction power.
Don’t allow distractions to interfere with supervising children. If you are by the pool, do
not run inside to answer the telephone. This can be the very moment when you might be
needed to save a child from drowning. If possible keep a landline telephone near you, or
just let it ring. The caller will leave a message or phone again.
Children like to climb. Make sure that the fence is non-climbable. All garden furniture
should be kept away from the fence to prevent little ones from using them to help them
scramble over the pool fence. Even if you have a pool safety certificate this won’t protect
your children if you are careless.
Teach your children to swim as soon as possible and teach them not to go near any kind
of pool without adult supervision. Also cover your pool when it’s not being used. Peace of
mind is a priceless treasure.
http://www.poolinspectionsbrisbane.net.au