Before we move on from the topic of barriers (see Part 3 in our series), there are a few more important things we need to mention. No matter how good a pool safety cover or fence you initially purchase, it won’t be effective if you don’t take care of it and use it properly.
Maintain Your Pool Safety Cover or Pool Fence
Whether you choose a pool safety cover, a pool fence, or both, be sure to maintain these barriers. A worn-out or improperly installed product may not provide an adequate level of protection. If you notice your cover or fence starting to suffer from wear and tear, it’s time to get them fixed or purchase a replacement. Inspect these barriers regularly to make sure they’re still in great working order.
Use Your Barrier Continually According to Manufacturer’s Instructions
What’s the purpose of buying a safety product that you don’t use? You wouldn’t take time to research the safety features of different child safety seats for your car and then leave the seat in the garage, would you? That would be a waste of money and you wouldn’t be keeping your little one safe. The same is true when you fail to use your pool safety barriers as they were intended.
Always make sure your safety cover is on when you’re not around the pool. Check to see that the gate on your pool fence is securely locked. Also, don’t assume that these barriers are such a fool-proof method of preventing entry to the pool that you get too relaxed. You should still keep a close eye on your pool area. Although barriers are a wonderful deterrent, a determined child may still try to find a way around them. So stay alert!
This leads us to our final topic of discussion when it comes to the basics of pool safety: the topic of instruction. As much as you want to provide adult supervision and prevent unauthorized entry into your pool, a child may still somehow find a way into the pool without an adult nearby. That’s why it’s critical to teach children how to swim well at an early age.
Enroll Kids in Professional Swimming Classes
Some kids seem to pick up swimming easily as if they were just born to be in the water. Other kids seem to be naturally afraid of the water and resist getting wet. Whichever end of the spectrum your child may be, or if they’re somewhere in-between, get them signed up for swimming classes as soon as they’re old enough to take them. The exact age you should start classes can vary from child to child depending on their rate of development. Based on where you live, classes may even be available for babies and toddlers who are held in a parent’s arms for much of the instruction period.
Swimming classes provide a variety of benefits. They can give children greater confidence in the water as their ability level increases. They can also take away some of the mystique that some children feel about the water that may cause them to take unnecessary risks. One word of caution is in order, however. Some kids who have taken swimming classes and are familiar with the water may mistakenly think that it means they no longer need to be supervised in the pool. Make sure that your kids know that, even though they’ve passed their class, it’s still not safe for them to go swimming without an adult watching them!
Enroll Yourself in a CPR Class
Even if you’ve taken all these other precautions, there’s still the possibility that an accident could occur in your pool. When it does, you can be prepared if you take the time to learn CPR. Your willingness to do so may save a life!
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