Katie Katie Parsons is the creator of Mumbling Mommy and is a freelance writer, editor and communications specialist. She works from her home office on the east coast of Florida. Most often she writes about life in a combined family of five children and what it's like being a full time work-from-home parent. Feel free to pitch guest post ideas or just drop her a line at [email protected].

With summer upon us, swimming season is kicking into high gear too. What better way to spend the warm months than sitting poolside, or splashing in the water with your kids? If you are lucky enough to have a pool at home, then you are just steps away from summer fun at a moment’s notice. As most pool owners know, this is both a blessing and a curse. Keeping your family safe, particularly if you have inexperienced swimmers at home, takes constant vigilance. Before you open your pool for the summer, read over these suggestions and look for ways to improve the safety of a pool at your home:

Safety of a Pool at Home

— Lock the door. Install a lock on the door leading to the pool that is out of reach for small children. Make a habit of locking it behind you every time you come inside and check it throughout the day. If there are other ways to get to the pool (like a gate leading to the back yard), upgrade to a more complicated latching system or consider a combination padlock.

Picture taken from Aqua Vista Glass

— Fence it in. Experts at http://www.glassboundaries.net.au/ say that you can add an extra level of safety to your pool by installing a fence directly next to the pool, or around the deck’s perimeter. A study done by the University of Washington found that installing pool fencing greatly reduces the incidence of drowning. Fencing does not guarantee safety, but it certainly makes it more difficult for a child to end up in the water unattended. If you use an option like frameless glass pool fencing, the overall aesthetic of your pool area will improve too.

— Prioritize swim lessons. Find the money and time to hire a professional swim instructor. Whether you take them to the local high school pool for lessons, or have the instructor come to your home, an investment in swimming lessons is a smart one. Children as young as six months old can enroll in Safe Start swimming programs. If you live in a colder climate, take advantage of physical activity swimming lessons can provide your kids during the winter months.

— Talk safety with your kids. Don’t overlook the impact of your words on your children’s actions. Let your children know that the pool is a dangerous place to play without adult supervision. Tell them to always come ask for help if a toy winds up in the water. Put consequences in place if pool rules are broken. Go over these rules when a new friend comes over to ensure that your message is heard — and hopefully leads to heightened pool safety at home.

A pool should be a perk, not a burden for parents. Finding a balance between fun physical activity and family safety is the key to peace of mind. With a little added safety of a pool, you can enjoy all the benefits of your pool at home this summer.


Picture taken from Aqua Vista Glass

 

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Category: Family Free Time

Tags: frameless glass pool fencing