Please select the topic you would like to know more about.

»	Paralysis	»	Burns & Fires	»	Electrical Shock	»	Cuts & Abrasions
»	Fun In The Sun	»	Food Suggestions	»	Know Your Limitations	»	Safety Precautions

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Improper diving or sliding, alcohol consumption, or horseplay in and around swimming pools may lead to serious neck and spinal injuries including paralysis, in the form of quadriplegia or paraplegia.

A number of these injuries occur yearly, with the overwhelming majority occurring in shallow water. A number of people who ignored these rules and chose to dive into shallow water are now paralyzed. The facts show that many of these were experienced divers. Don't let this happen to you.

Inform family and guests who come to enjoy your pool of the safety rules you have established.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Burns & Fires

Chemicals needed for clean, sanitized water are potentially harmful when stored or used improperly. If mixed with other chemicals or elements, explosions and fire can occur. Read the label and follow manufacturers' instructions. Always store chemicals where they cannot be reached by children.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Electrical Shock

Water is an excellent conductor of electricity. Electrical shock or electrocution can occur in a pool if live electrical current flowing through appliances and devices (including current from a telephone) comes into contact with the water. Make sure all electrical appliances and devices are protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI).

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cuts & Abrasions

The pool environment, as well as associated products and equipment, can be a source of injury to users. Slipping and falling can result in cuts or scrapes or broken legs and arms. Horseplay, improper use of equipment or failure to follow manufacturers' instructions or warnings can result in serious trauma and permanently disabling injuries.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fun In The Sun

» Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.

» Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy fence.

» Keep rescue equipment and a portable telephone near the pool.

» Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach.

» Babies should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade.
» Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use a hat.
» Make sure adults are trained in CPR so they can rescue a child if necessary.

» Apply sunscreen before going outside, even on cloudy days.
» Whenever infants or toddlers are in the water, an adult should be within arm's length.

» Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm - that's when the sun's rays are strongest.

» Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Food Suggestions

Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke or get a crippling stitch. Never drink alcohol and swim. Use common sense about swimming after eating. In general, if you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Know Your Limitations

Watch out for the "dangerous too's"-too tired, too cold, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Stay out of the water when overheated.

Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don't try to keep up with a stronger skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you. Keep an eye on weaker swimmers-if they appear tired, encourage them to rest.

Always check the depth of the water before you dive. A general rule is to enter feet first into water rather than head-first if you don't know the depth. In addition, learn the correct way to dive from a qualified instructor.

Know weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Because water conducts electricity, it is wise to stop swimming as soon as you see or hear a storm.

T Back To Top

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Safety Precautions

Never permit the pool to be used unless at least one person other than the bather is present. Children must always be under careful adult supervision.

Do not dispense chemicals into the pool while the pool is being used. Poisoning or painful skin irritations can occur. Do not permit horseplay or dangerous water games in and around your pool. Remember that the pool area may be wet and slippery, and accidents resulting in serious injuries can be prevented if rules of behavior are strictly enforced.

Do not allow toys, chairs, tables, filtration system's pumps, heaters or other objects that a young child could climb, to be within four feet (4') of the pool.

» Teach your children to swim.
» Parents and or guardians should learn C.P.R.
» Keep all electrical radios, speakers and other appliances away from the swimming pool.
» Keep the deck and pool area clean and clear of objects that may create a tripping hazard.
» When you touch the filters, pump or electrical parts, make sure the ground under your feet is "Bone Dry".

T Back To Top