We implement multiple layers of security to prevent life-threatening incidents in and around the pool.
Here are some surprising statistics: Every year, about 400 children under the age of 15 about 1 every day drown in swimming pools and spas. Of these, 300 are under 5 years of age. 87% of deaths occur in residential swimming pools and spas.
According to campaign leader for Pool Safely, a public education campaign run by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that works to reduce child drownings and other accidents in swimming pools and spas. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1 to 4, and it is all preventable, she says.
But it’s not just about knowing how to swim. Some of these accidents include competent swimmers becoming trapped in swimming pool drains. Additionally, according to the CPSC, about 60 people have died from electrocution since 1990, and 50 people have died from serious electrocution in and around swimming pools.
The best way to prevent pool accidents is to implement multi-level protective measures that include adult supervision, safety barriers, gate and pool alarms, regular inspections, swimming lessons, and training such as CPR. If you own or are considering building a pool or spa, here’s what you can do to keep your children, your relatives, or your neighbors’ children safe.
Teach children to swim
We often think of swimming as good exercise for kids or a fun way to spend the summer. But the real benefit is that it can save lives. Children who don’t know how to swim are 70 percent more likely to drown. It’s also important to check the pool or spa first if your child goes missing.
Water watchdog designation
No safety measure can replace adult supervision. Recommends assigning one adult full responsibility for caring for children in pools and spas. I’m not a texting or reading person. You can order free water observer badges and lanyards through the Pool Safely website. Give an adult a badge, have them work in 15- to 30-minute shifts, and then pass it on to another adult.
Also, keep in mind that drowning is different than in the movies. Doesn’t splash or ask for help. The kids go down quickly and quietly.
Implementing barriers and other safety measures
Even if you don’t have children, installing some sort of barrier, such as a fence or safety net, around your pool is recommended and required in many jurisdictions. You never know when your friends will bring their kids for a swim or when your neighbors’ kids will stop by to check out the pool.
Fence
John of KD Pool Builders says portable fences are the most common safety barriers for swimming pools. Fences come in a variety of styles and materials, but they should be at least 4 feet tall 5 feet is better and non-climbable. Gates should close and latch automatically and swing out of the pool so that children cannot push them open when latched.
Fences should be transparent, such as chain link, wrought iron, or glass, and should not have steps or gaps that children could climb through.
John is an employee of KD Pool Builders, a company that makes magnetic safety gate latches and gate alarms for swimming pools. The company which works with Pool Safely and other support programs to spread awareness of pool safety measures.
John says because every state and local jurisdiction has different regulations for pool safety, such as barriers, the onus is often on homeowners to be educated about what they can and should do to keep children safe around the pool. He makes sure the products he buys comply with regulations. He said, “I think this is real. We see a lot of news stories about homeowners being prosecuted because their neighbor’s child drowned in their pool and they didn’t know what the pool code was”, she says.
Check out the Pool Safely website for more information on height regulations and other key measurements for constructing safety fences and barriers.
There’s no need to skimp on style when it comes to pool barriers. Glass allows you to see the surrounding scenery as it is. It’s hard to imagine this backyard with a wrought iron fence around the pool.
Here, John uses acrylic bubble wands to create a clever second line of defense. This supports a key compliance barrier for automatic pool covers.
Advantages: There is no need to remove the fence to access the pool and reinstall it after use. When you wake up, go through the door. Installation usually takes about a day.
Disadvantages: Can take up valuable space in your yard and pool deck. Fences work better in large backyards. Some people find them aesthetically pleasing because they can block the view to the surrounding landscaping.
Cost: Fences cost between $1,500 and $2,500 depending on size and material.
Safety net and mesh cover
David says these devices have been around for the past 15 years and work by securing a net or mesh cover to anchors around the pool. They take very little time to put on and take off, making them better for people who don’t use the pool or spa often.
Advantages of netting and mesh covers: Installation takes only one day. Some people consider them to be more aesthetically pleasing than fences because they have less of a visual impact on the surrounding landscape, even if they block the view of the water.
Disadvantages: Nets and mesh covers are a bit physically demanding as it takes about 10-15 minutes to secure the net over the pool. The work involves moving around the pool and bending over 40 to 50 times to secure parts of the net. These are holes drilled into the hardscape material. David said he is often asked what the safest option is. “There’s no good answer to that”, he says. “They all have pros and cons”.
Safety net: This is the safest option because it cannot go over, under, or through. But if you’re not in the pool, there’s no protection.
Cost: Nets can range from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on size. Mesh covers cost between $2,500 and $4,500.
Automatic pool cover
“Automatic pool covers are the easiest to use but also the most expensive”, says David. These covers are designed and manufactured to fit the specific size of your pool and are activated at the touch of a button.
The automatic cover on the Buffalo New York, USA pool shown here was mounted underneath the pool cover on steel tracks and added about $20,000 to the pool installation cost.
Advantages: Easiest to use. Just press a button to open or close the cover.
Disadvantages: They are expensive and take four to six weeks to manufacture, but installation is usually completed in one day.
Cost: Car covers can cost up to $6,000 depending on size, configuration and features.
Door alarm
It is a good idea to set alarms on all doors leading to the pool area, including fences, safety nets, and automatic covers. This is especially important if your home serves as the fourth side of the barrier surrounding your pool.
These alarms should have a unique sound that’s different from other door alarms, doorbells or phones in your home, William says. This way you will know immediately when the pool gate opens.
Also, don’t forget a pet door. Curious children can easily escape through the entrance, and some local jurisdictions require that doors leading to pool areas must be pet-proof.
Pool alarms
Another type of alarm is a swimming pool alarm. The device can detect waves or movement in the water to let you know if something or someone has fallen into the water.
Get your pool inspected regularly
You should have your pool inspected by a qualified pool inspector at least once a year to make sure drain covers are working properly and pool lights don’t pose an electric shock hazard, Robert says.
According to the CPSC, since 1990, there have been 60 deaths from electrocution and nearly 50 cases of serious shock in and around swimming pools. Some occurred during rescue attempts because rescuers were unaware of electrical hazards. Wet surfaces such as grass or pool decks can cause electrocution.
According to the CPSC, pool equipment (pumps, filters, vacuums), lights, power or extension cords, overhead power lines, electrical outlets, radios, stereos, and televisions are all sources of electricity around pools and spas.
If you are in a swimming pool, tingling sensations, muscle cramps, or feeling unable to move are signs that you are experiencing an electric shock. If you are supervising a swimmer, you may notice unsteady or panicky behavior from other people in the water, from more than one swimmer, or from underwater lights not functioning properly (for example, blinking or turning on when they should not).
If you think you have been shocked, the CPSC recommends moving away from the source of the shock. Get out of the water, but avoid using a metal ladder if you have one.
If you think someone has been shocked, turn off all power immediately. Call 911 or ask someone to call you. The American Red Cross says you can also use a shepherd’s rescue collar made of fiberglass. For more information about electric shock in swimming pools, see CPSC’s safety guidelines.
Learn CPR
Knowing what to do if you find an unresponsive child or adult in a pool or spa can be a life-or- death scenario. CPR is generally a good skill to have, but it is extremely important if you are a
pool or spa owner. This is another layer that can be implemented in addition to barriers, covers, and alarms that can help save lives. “You don’t know if it’s going to work until you see it”, Charles says.