Here’s How To Keep Your Kids Safe This Summer With Pool Safety for Kids

Summers are here, and it’s time to have some water fun with the family. While most parents understand the basics of pool safety for kids, it takes just a few moments of negligence for an incident to occur.

Let’s look at some California pool statistics to understand this better.

Swimming Pool Accident Statistics

In the year2017 alone, at least 148 children, under the age of 15, lost their lives due to drowning in pools or spas. Fatal pool accidentsare the third-largest cause of unintentional deaths among children below five years in California.

As per this report from the Department of Developmental Sciences (DDS), there were 23 incidents of pool drowning for kids aged 0-5 years in California during 2017 alone. Although the number of victims was less than the previous year’s data, the situation is concerning, and a cause of worry for parents.

Current Laws in California for Pool Safety

The State of California requires specific measures of pool safety for kidsin existing and new swimming pools. Apart from general safety tips, one should follow current laws to make pools safe for every swimmer.

As per theSenate Bill 442, Newman, every new and existing swimming pool must have two of seven child safety barriers for safe access by young children. The safety features recommended for a pool or spa includes:

  • Safety pool cover
  • Pool enclosure
  •  Removable mesh fencing
  •  Exit alarms
  •  Self-latching devices
  •  Pool alarms
  •   Other means of safety meeting the standards defined by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

When obtaining a building permit, equip the pool or spa with at least two of these requirements, and it’s safe to swim.

How to Keep Your Kids Safe Near the Pool?

Despite better judgment and knowledge, fatal pool accidentshappen every year. CDC or Centers for Disease Control mentioned some main factors for drowning among children involve a lack of safety barrier, unsupervised swimming, or lack of swimming skills, among others.

So make sure to exercise caution in keeping your kids safe around a pool:

1. Talk about Pool Safety

A drowning accident is scary. It’s a shocking revelation that nearly 70% of child drowning incidents take place when kids are not even swimming. Hence, parents need to talk about the hazards of a swimming pool with their children.

Children can accidentally tumble into a pool filled with rainwater, wander to the pool, or slip through unlocked pool fence when there’s no adult around. Involve them into the various aspects of pool safety for kids. Talk to your kids about the significance of swimming skills and dangers of going near water without a grown-up.

2. Teach Them How to Swim

With formal swimming lessons, you can reduce the likelihood of drowning by 88%, says swimming pool accident statisticsby theUSA Swimming Foundation. According to the CDC, formal training also helps to prevent drowning for kids aged 1-4 years.

Though shallow pools give a sense of security, it is always better to prepare your kids for unforeseen accidents. They should know to float even after falling in the deeper water without proper gear.

If you are not sure about the right age for your kid to learn swimming, talk to her pediatrician to take guidance. When the time is right, start lessons on the calendar pronto with the help of an experienced trainer.

3. Install Pool Screens

At the time of installing a swimming pool, don’t ignore the importance of adding safety features like pool screens or fences. Children are often supervised and safe near a pool if many members of the family can access it. But, there’s still a possibility of a toddler roving unsupervised near water. If you have a pool barrier, you can easily avoid any fatal pool accidents.

A pool screen is easily removable and a safe alternative for pools in the porch area. If you have a backyard pool, install a pool fence that’s at least four feet high. The barriers should also be sealed or closed when the pool is not in use. Cover your pool with a rigid motorized safety cover even in summers. Also, make sure that safety cover fits the entire surface of the pool without leaving gaps that work as entrapment for kids.

4. Ensure Timely Pool Services

Before preparing your pool for the season, take help from certified professionals to check the pool’s safety barriers. They will carefully inspect safety covers, fencing, self-latching gates, and electrical components to ensure their proper functioning.

Ask your service provider to check for loose screws and bolts that may catch hair or bathing suits of the swimmers. Absent or displaced drain covers can also entrap young swimmers at the bottom of the pool or spa. So, it’s better to stay protected with timely inspections and repairs to assure pool safety for kids.

5. Install Pool Alarms

A safe warning by a pool alarm that buzzes when someone goes near the pool is a big life savior. You can install a pool alarm that screeches whenever a heavy object or person falls into the pool. It results from the waves that set off the alarm. However, you should be near the pool to hear its safety warning.

Also, there are alarm systems that shoot a beam of light around the pool perimeter. The alarm buzzes if your child approaches the water. It sends a warning before the kid falls or drowns in the water. So, it’s a better option if you want complete pool safety for kids.

You should also keep the pool area spick and span to avoid hazardous falls. If the pool surface is slippery, talk to your pool contractor to apply a non-slip coating material. Don’t leave toys near the pool area, and keep the pool water crystal clean with regular maintenance.

Hire certified pool professionals to install layers of protection in and around your pool to enjoy summer swimming without child drowning hazards.

Can You Get Sick From A Dirty Swimming Pool? Yes!

Can You Get Sick From A Dirty Swimming Pool?

Ask your professional pool cleaner in your neighborhood, and they’ll tell you the many ways you can get sick from swimming in a dirty pool. Although taking a dip in a pool offers respite from the summer heat, you need to consider how safe it is before taking the plunge.

Your swimming pool has a large number of germs and bacteria that may cause recreational water illnesses (RWIs). These illnesses spread by swallowing, inhaling, or having contact with contaminated water from pools, spas, lakes or other water bodies. Some common symptoms may include swimmer’s ear, skin rashes, and even diarrhea.

The data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) shows that your neighborhood swimming pool may not be as clean as you think.  According to a study, approximately 30,000 recreational water illnesses documented in the U.S. from 1978–2004, showed a steady increase in reported outbreaks.

Let’s learn how to remain healthy this summer.

Health Hazards of Swimming in a Dirty Pool

If you use a community swimming pool, you often have to share it with other children and adults. Public pools make it more challenging to ensure your pool is clean and safe for swimming.

As in your pool,  chlorine may be on the top of your list of pool supplies, but may not be enough to kill the various germs and bacteria in your pool. Several water-borne diseases may spread such as:

  • Cryptosporidium

Crypto is highly resistant to chlorine. And, even if you have a well-maintained pool, it can comfortably live for days. Only a specialist pool cleaner with the right knowledge of super chlorination can help you get rid of it and make your pool safe for swimming.

Prolonged exposure to contaminated water can cause lousy diarrhea that may take weeks to cure. And if you swallow even a small amount of this pool water, you may have to deal with infections that cause vomiting, stomach pain, and fever. You can kill most waterborne germs and parasites within 1 minute of adding a milligram of chlorine per liter of water. But to eliminate crypto, you’ll need to maintain ten times this concentration for at least 12 hours. For this reason, it is best to hire a professional pool cleaner for the job.

  • Giardia

Like crypto, this parasite can cause gastrointestinal distress including vomiting, bloating, constant diarrhea that may last up to 3 weeks, and weight loss. Symptoms of giardiasis usually take show up after a couple of weeks.

  • E.Coli

  1. Coli is perhaps the most common cause of illnesses associated with dirty water. Fecal matter of both animals and humans contains Escherichia Coli. So when someone suffering from diarrhea or diaper-wearing child uses the swimming pool, the bacteria will find its way into your water. And if anyone swallows this water while swimming, they are prone to gastric discomfort with bloody diarrhea and even kidney failure in extreme cases.
  • Salmonella

Salmonella is another bacteria transmitted via dirty pool water contaminated by human and animal feces. It has similar symptoms. You should use a pool vacuum to keep your swimming pool clean and free from any feces for clean swimming.

  • Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A is a significant concern if you swim in a poorly maintained pool. Swallowing such contaminated water can lead to jaundiced skin, dark urine, an upset stomach, vomiting, and even fevers.

Apart from this, your swimming pool has many germs that carry infections like cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis E, and more. Swimming in a dirty pool can also lead to severe ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infections.

Further, contaminated water can cause red eyes and itchy skin. It could range from a mild infection to severe health conditions on prolonged exposure. Thus, it is vital to have regular pool maintenance. Don’t gamble with your health. Consult a specialized pool cleaner near you.

Importance of Pool Maintenance

While it is fun to own a swimming pool, it requires a lot of hard work to maintain one. You don’t have to spend a large part of your day cleaning the pool. However, if you neglect your pool over a long period, you are likely to run into trouble.

Poor maintenance makes your swimming pool a breeding ground for all sorts of algae, microorganisms, bacteria, and germs. On the other hand, regular pool maintenance has many advantages, like;

  1. Increases the life of your pool

A swimming pool is an investment. And the best way to get the most out of your pool is to hire a reliable, professional pool cleaner to maintain the pool. With experienced pool maintenance professional by your side, you will not have to worry about pool upkeep for years to come.

2. Healthy swimming experience

In fact, by maintaining the cleanliness and hygiene of your pool, you can reduce the chances of getting sick from swimming in dirty pool water. So clean your pool and enjoy your swimming experience without risking your health.

3. Saves you money spent on medical expenses

With regular and systematic upkeep, you can reduce the money spent on medical treatment of these illnesses. It is wiser to spend your money on pool maintenance and save yourself the cost and suffering from infections caused by a dirty pool.

4. Prevents costly damage to the pool structure

Poor pool maintenance can result in out of pocket expenses down the line. A professional pool cleaner helps you avoid any serious damage to your pool over time. Preventive maintenance is an excellent investment in your asset and swimming experience.

Is Your Pool Water Safe To Swim?

If your pool has murky, hazy, or turbid water, then it is reasonable to say the pool is not safe to swim in. But what about if your pool appears clean?

Well, don’t be fooled!

Just because your pool water looks clean does not mean it is safe to swim in. There are many little details you need to check to ensure the water is fit for swimming. Check the water balance, pH, and chlorine levels to reach a more specific decision. So, the next time you’re out buying pool supplies, stock up on pH test strips and chlorine test strips for a handy pool test kit!

How to Keep Your Pool Clean

While cleaning the pool may appear a daunting task, you can always use chlorine as a way to kill most germs. Keep filters clean. You can also use a pool vacuum regularly to clean the floor of the swimming pool.

As pool specialists, we can’t ignore the need for proper pool maintenance. If you don’t have the time for the pool maintenance, hire a reliable and experienced pool maintenance company near you. Don’t neglect your swimming pool until it turns green and becomes a liability. Invest in your pool and increase the life of your asset with regular upkeep and maintenance plans.

Don’t Have Time For Pool Maintenance? Hire a Professional Pool Cleaner Near You

If you have any questions on swimming pools, or need cleaning tips, call us to speak to our pool specialists today!

Sunscreen 101

After a restful and relaxing day at your swimming pool, sometimes our skin is left aching after a sunburn. Here we write about ways to protect your skin against harmful sun rays. Try swimming during off-peak times such as late afternoon; wear protective clothing and try sunscreen. If you aren’t sure which sunscreen to use, we discuss some options below.

Sunscreen Options for Tanning

Protect yourself from harmful sun rays while tanning your skin with Australian Gold’s Spray Gel Bronzer. With built-in moisturizers, the bronzer nourishes your skin as it protects it.

Sunscreen for Active Users

If you’re very active and enjoy surfing or splashing around, try wearing protection that can withstand the elements. Coppertone Sport provides SPF 50 protection and a layer that sticks onto your skin even when you get sweaty or move around.

Sunscreen Tips:

  1. Reapply every two hours and when you leave the pool. Even if you wear water-resistant foundation, make sure that you’re covered each time you get out of the water.
  2. Don’t use expired sunscreen because it loses its UV protection as time passes. Most foundations should still be effective two-to-three years after purchase. However, be sure to throw out sun protective creams it if is beyond the expiration date.
  3. Spread well! The amount necessary for an average adult is the amount that would fit in a shot glass. If you have a 4-ounce bottle, you should use nearly a fourth per application.

7 Tips for Pool Safety

7 Tips for Pool Safety

Swimming is only fun if everyone stays safe. Sadly, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children age 1 – 4. But drowning is also preventable by being careful and watchful around a pool, especially with children. Below are 7 things you can do to ensure that everyone stays safe around your backyard pool:

  1. Create a list of rules for backyard swimming.

If your kids are old enough, involve them in the process of brainstorming things that can happen and how to prevent accidents. For example, no glass around the pool. Broken glass that gets in the water is hard to find, and no one wants a big, bad cut. You may think that rules are just common sense, but establishing firm pool rules puts everyone on the same page to keep kids, pets, and adults safe.

  1. Never swim alone.

Kids and adults should always swim with someone nearby. Young or inexperienced swimmers need to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Floaties aren’t enough to prevent drowning. Appoint a ‘designated watcher’ for family gatherings with small children.

  1. No running around the pool, and no diving in the shallow end.

The deck can be slippery, and there’s no official lifeguard in your backyard to blow a whistle. Mark the water depth, and let an adult be the one to designate a safe diving area if the pool has a deep end.

  1. Keep all riding toys and electrical appliances away from the pool deck.

Bicycles, tricycles, and skateboards can cause accidents, and electricity plus water is a shock hazard.

  1. Have appropriate safety equipment.

If there are children in the home, or if they visit regularly, install a fence (at least 4 ft. high) around the pool with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Never leave the gate propped open. Also, make sure that the drain has a proper cover; the suction from a drain can cause drowning for both children and adults. Install alarms on doors and windows that have pool access. Consider a surface wave or underwater alarm. Water rescue equipment, such as a ring buoy or Shepherd’s Crook, should be within a few feet of the pool.

  1. Learn CPR

CPR saves lives because seconds count when a person is drowning. In an emergency, you want to be able to help. CPR classes are available in Bakersfield through the Red Cross and other sources.

  1. Take pool toys out of the pool when you finish swimming.

Toys in the pool are a temptation to kids that could result in drowning. Also, pool chlorine doesn’t clean pool toys. The toys need separate cleaning to prevent illness. Periodic cleaning with a water and bleach mixture keeps everyone healthy.

Enjoy your pool, and stay safe!