May is National Water Safety Month, and here at Bask Pools + Outdoors, we take safety seriously. 

We understand the risks that come with pool ownership, and want to provide our clients with an outdoor oasis that is beautiful and as safe as can be. The best way to enhance pool safety is to provide layers of barriers to reduce risk of injury or harm. In today’s post, we are going to explore these from the inside out. Read on to learn more, and contact us for all of the maintenance, design, construction, and renovation services you need for your pool in Lafayette!

Pool safety starts with YOU!

You, being the owner of a swimming pool in Lafayette. Owning a pool is a major responsibility, and the first thing you need to know is what to do in a water emergency. Having a plan in place for water rescues is crucial in saving valuable seconds in the event of an emergency. Becoming CPR certified and maintaining that certification is another step you can take to ensure those swimming in your pool are safe. 

Remembering to check the water first is another way to be a responsible pool owner. If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first. This is especially important if your child is prone to wandering. 

Establishing and enforcing pool rules and safe behaviors is another step to ensure pool safety. Here is a basic list to get you started.

Pool Rules

• Do not enter head first unless in a pool that has a safe diving area. If you want to allow diving, swimming pool renovations can add safe diving areas to your pool. 
• Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction.
• Swim with a buddy.
• Only swim when supervised by a water watcher.
• Swim sober.
• Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or using a cell phone.

Water Watcher

Speaking of supervision, let’s discuss Water Watchers. A Water Watcher is a designated person whose job is to watch the children in the pool, and those playing near the pool – i.e. on a nearby swingset in the backyard. Regardless of whether or not the children present know how to swim, the water watcher maintains vigilance and is ready to alert others in the event of an emergency.

A Water Watcher:

• Should not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Should put down his or her cell phone
• Should not participate in other activities
• Should supervise even if a lifeguard is also present
• Should switch out with other adults for a break

Life Jackets

For those who are weak swimmers, wearing a life jacket is an imperative part of pool safety. Using a Coast Guard Approved personal flotation device that is appropriate for the swimmer’s size is crucial to maintaining safety in the water. If you have a pool in Lafayette, consider keeping a stash of various-sized lifejackets on hand so you can always provide one to weak swimmers.  

Swim Skills

Teach your children how to swim! This is such an important part of pool ownership that Bask Pools + Outdoors gifts free swim lessons to all our new pool build customers. This way, families with small children can take their kids  to our favorite local instructors at Diver’s Destination. Knowing basic swimming skills like floating on one’s back and getting to the side of the pool can be vital in preventing drowning deaths. The AAP recommends swim lessons as a layer of protection against drowning for many children as young as one year old. Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they can at least achieve the basic skills of water competency: being able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance, and get out of the water safely.

Now we can move on to exterior barriers that can help prevent accidental pool deaths. These barriers can easily be accomplished with swimming pool renovations. 

Primary Barriers: Pool Fencing

A four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing. There are many options for pool fencing available, including many that are safe and aesthetically-pleasing. The design staff at Bask Pools + Outdoor can help you select which fencing options would best suit your new build or swimming pool renovation needs.

Here are some basic rules for pool fencing:

• Four feet, four sides. The pool fence should be at least four feet high and completely surround the pool, separating it from the house and the rest of the yard.
• Climb-proof. The pool fence shouldn’t have any footholds or handholds, or be near any objects such as lawn furniture or play equipment that the child could use to climb over the fence. 
• Slat space. To ensure a small child can’t squeeze through the fence, make sure vertical slats have no more than four inches of space between them. This will also help to keep small pets safe.
• Latch height. The fence should have a self-closing and self-latching gate that only opens out and away from the pool area. The latch should be out of a child’s reach—at least 54 inches from the ground.
• Gate locked, toy-free. When the pool is not in use, make sure the gate is locked. Keep toys out of the pool area when it is not in use.

Secondary Barriers: Pool Safety Covers

Pool covers should cover the entire pool securely enough that a child cannot slip under them. Make sure no standing water collects on top, because children can drown in less than two inches of water. Power-operated covers are often the safest and easiest to use. 

Remember: Floating solar and winter covers are not safety covers and can actually increase drowning risk. Because a floating cover makes the pool surface appear solid, a small child might try to retrieve a ball or other light toy that landed on it and quickly slip underneath, becoming trapped and hidden from view.

Secondary Barriers: Pool Alarms

If you’re looking for a swimming pool renovation that will increase safety, a pool alarm is a great choice. A pool alarm system will alert you when someone (or something) has made contact with the water when you’re not expecting it. The alarm’s sensor is generally triggered by the waves created by the person — or sometimes animal — who’s fallen in. Options can include smart alarms that sync to an app on your phone, loud sirens to alert anyone nearby, and sensitivity adjustments to ensure that the alarm isn’t triggered by environmental factors such as rain, falling leaves, or other debris entering the pool. 

The entire team at Bask Pools + Outdoors wishes you all a happy and SAFE swimming season. For more information on how to maximize the safety of a new pool build, or for more details on swimming pool renovations that can increase safety, call us at (337) 243-4394 to schedule a consultation in Lafayette!