Swim into Safety this Summer

For many Texas families, a sparkling swimming pool is the perfect backyard feature to counter summer's sizzling heat — while having some family fun, too.

Although backyard pools can provide soothing respite from soaring temperatures, they can also be dangerous, especially for young children.

For instance, did you know that drowning is the leading cause of death in children ages 1 to 4 years? Or that 80% of children treated in emergency departments for non-fatal pool or spa-related injuries were five years or younger?

By following the right safety measures, however, you can have fun in your backyard pool and still be safe this summer. Here are eight tips to help you maximize your swimming pool safety.

1. Install layers of barriers to make access to the water more difficult.

   Kids often can’t wait to jump into the water and very young children in particular are drawn to it — but make sure that access to a backyard swimming pool is under the watchful eyes of adults. Barriers that allow adults to control access are key.

   To keep children safe, Texas law states that all pools must be enclosed with a non-climbable fence that is at least 48 inches tall and has gates that both self-close and self-latch.

   In addition to these regulations, pool owners should consider having an alarm on a pool gate. A gate alarm means that you are immediately notified — even at a distance, if your pool gate is not secured. You might even consider having a pool alarm that notifies you when the water's surface is broken, so that you can respond immediately.

2. Always have a designated adult “Water Watcher”.

   We all know that children should never be left unattended in or near water. But, assuming that everyone is watching means no one is watching.

   Unlike what is often portrayed in media, drowning can happen silently and quickly. Rarely is a person in distress thrashing in the water or yelling for help.

   Having an adult designated as the Water Watcher is one way to ensure that someone always has eyes on the pool. The designated individual should refrain from distractions (including reading or using their phone). A waterproof badge can be helpful to remind others that the watcher is "on duty" and shouldn't be distracted.

3. Restrict or prohibit diving in your backyard swimming pool.

   According to the American Red Cross, most diving injuries happen in water that is five feet deep or less. Only swimming pools that have a marked depth of at least 9 feet are considered safe for a head-first dive.

   If you decide that diving is allowed, make sure that swimmers understand the pool's designated diving area. Swimmers should only dive in the diving zone, steer clear of the area when someone is preparing to dive and refrain from diving at night or when there are obstructions in the water (e.g., floats or other swimmers).

4. Prioritize learning how to swim.

   Learning how to swim is perhaps one of the most important life skills to acquire. Unfortunately, roughly 1 in 5 Americans do not know how to swim, and fewer than half of Americans can swim well enough to save themselves from drowning.

   When parents and children learn critical, age-appropriate water safety skills not only will they be more comfortable in the water but also they will know the basic skills needed to minimize the risks of accidental drowning. The American Red Cross lists five water competencies including the ability to step or jump into water over the swimmer’s head or to float or tread water for one minute.

   And, while you might be surprised how your little one seems like a “fish in water,” learning how to swim doesn’t mean children should swim without adult supervision. (In fact, a young child drowned while at a group swimming lesson in San Antonio in 2018, and his family now champions safer standards for early childhood group swim instruction.)

5. If a child is missing from the house, patio or yard, always check the pool first.

   Remember, when it comes to a potential drowning, time is of the essence. If you realize a child is missing, immediately go to the swimming pool to make sure that they haven’t fallen accidentally into the water.

6. Learn basic CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

   If you spot a drowning swimmer, call 911 immediately. While waiting for emergency responders, CPR and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation are emergency procedures that can save a life if a person’s breathing or heart stops.

   Fortunately, CPR training is readily available, and it is a skill you’ll remember for the rest of your life. The American Heart Association can help you find CPR and other first aid classes near you.

7. A well-maintained pool is a safer pool.

   If you own a backyard pool, you're responsible for maintaining it and surrounding areas. Unfortunately, seemingly small problems can quickly become larger safety issues if not addressed.

   The following basic pool maintenance tasks can help minimize risks:

   • Frequently inspect areas that get a lot of usage, such as handrails and ladders, to make sure they are secure and are structurally sound.
   • Inspect drain covers to make sure they are secure and attached properly.
   • Pay particular attention to your pool deck. If it is made of stone, look for any stones that are loose and might be uneven. If you have a wooden deck, keep an eye out and fix any loose boards or nails that might be protruding due to weathering or age.
   • Consider scheduling annual inspections of your swimming pool by a pool specialist to ensure that the mechanical elements of your pool are in proper working order.

8. Safely store and use all chemicals.

   Most swimming pools need are maintained through the use of chemicals that disinfect the water and protect swimmers from the spread of germs, contaminants and algae growth.

   Yet some of those useful chemicals can be deadly, making safety around their use and storage essential.

   Keep all chemicals in a secured area so that young children will not have access to them. Make sure that the protected area will also prevent chemicals from getting wet and will not leak, spill or mix with other substances such as lawn fertilizers.

   While it can sometimes be a balancing act getting the swimming pool chemically balanced, pool owners need to make sure that they are following the instructions for usage of all the chemicals they use in their pool.

If you're fortunate to own a home pool, make sure that your insurance coverage is sufficient to cover issues that may crop up or accidents that may occur. To learn more about your options, contact RBFCU Insurance Agency at 1-888-564-2999 or insurance@rbfcu.org today to speak with one of our friendly, professional agents.

Information in this article is general in nature and for your consideration, not as financial advice. Please contact your own financial professionals regarding your specific needs before taking any action based upon this information.

RBFCU Insurance Agency LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of RBFCU Services LLC. RBFCU Services LLC is affiliated with Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU). Insurance products are not deposits; are not obligations of the credit union; not NCUA insured; and not guaranteed by RBFCU Insurance Agency LLC, RBFCU Services LLC or RBFCU.

Sources

“Course Catalog.” American Heart Association CPR, https://cpr.heart.org/en/course-catalog-search.

“CPSC Report Shows Fatal Child Drownings Remain High; Nonfatal Drowning Injuries Spiked by 17 Percent in 2021.” Consumer Product Safety Commission, 9 June 2022, https://www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/News-Releases/2022/CPSC-Report-Shows-Fatal-Child-Drownings-Remain-High-Nonfatal-Drowning-Injuries-Spiked-by-17-Percent-in-2021.

“Injuries Among Children and Teens.” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/child-injury/index.html.

“Pool Chemical Safety | Healthy Swimming | Healthy Water.” CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/aquatics-professionals/pool-chemical-safety.html.

“Pool or Spa Submersion Report, 2020.” Consumer Product Safety Commission, https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/2020-Submersion-Report-4-29-20.pdf.

Rosen, Peg. “Home Swimming Pool Safety Tips All Parents Should Know.” Parents, 27 June 2022, https://www.parents.com/kids/safety/outdoor/pool-drowning-safety-tips-for-parents/.

“Swim Lessons: When to Start & What Parents Should Know.” HealthyChildren.org, 15 March 2019, https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-play/Pages/Swim-Lessons.aspx.

Texas Administrative Code.” Texas Administrative Code, https://texreg.sos.state.tx.us/public/readtac$ext.ViewTAC?tac_view=5&ti=25&pt=1&ch=265&sch=L&rl=Y.

Wheeler, Tyler. “Drowning Treatment: First Aid Information for Drowning.” WebMD, 1 November 2021, https://www.webmd.com/first-aid/drowning-treatment.