Pool Safety
The following tips can help improve the safety of your family around a residential pool, hot tub or spa:
- Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool. In nearly every drowning or near-drowning involving a child at a home pool, adults say the child was left alone for "just a second."
- Instruct babysitters about potential hazards to young children in and around pools, and stress the need for constant supervision.
- Completely fence the pool, install self-closing and self-latching gates, and make sure the gate latch is out of the reach of young children. Make sure all doors or windows leading to the pool area are secured. Pools are a prime temptation for children.
- Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons. Young children should always be closely watched while swimming.
- Do not use flotation devices (such as water wings) as a substitute for careful supervision.
- Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, because children could become trapped under the cover. Remove it completely before using the pool.
- Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from using them to climb into the pool area.
- Keep toys away from the pool area. Children playing with a toy could accidentally fall in.
- Remove steps to above ground pools when they are not in use.
- Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool if you receive a call. Keep emergency numbers with the poolside telephone.
- Learn CPR. Two recent rescues in Southlake have been successful because a family member or neighbor was able to perform CPR while waiting for fire personnel to arrive.
- Contact the Fire Services Division or the American Red Cross for information on CPR classes.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool, including life rings.
- Never bring glass containers into the pool area.
- Make sure that walking areas around the pool are smooth, level and slip-resistant.
- The bottom of the pool should be light in color to help spot submerged objects.
- Pool motion alarms can be installed that will sound when someone falls into a pool or if movement is detected in the water. This can be a life-saving investment.
- Never dive in above-ground pools or from the side of an in-ground pool. Dive only from a professionally installed diving board into deep water, and keep your hands in front of you as you enter the water. Never dive if you have been using alcohol or drugs.
- Never go head-first down a pool slide.
- If you have a spa or hot tub, know where the emergency cutoff switch is located.
- Make sure spa or hot tub drains covers are properly installed.
- Keep hot tub water temperature at 104 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.