Data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission shows that about 400 children younger than 15 drowned in pools and spas each year from 2016 to 2018. Whether you’re a private pool owner or a commercial pool owner, you need to make sure your pool is childproof to prevent pool-related injuries and deaths.

Read on to learn about pool childproofing tips, the importance of pool maintenance in injury and sickness prevention, and what products you can use to prevent accidents.

Implement Barriers

Whether you have kids or not, it’s recommended you have a barrier around your pool. You might still have friends bringing kids over or possibly have some trying to sneak in. It’s also required in many jurisdictions.

You have two options: fences and pool covers. Both can be used for extra safety.

Pool Fence

Pool fences should be at least 4 feet high, sturdy, self-closing, self-latching, and have no footholds or handholds which would allow children to climb over. Some don’t like pool fences because they can block the view, but you can use removable fences.

Pool Covers

A good pool cover can support even an adult’s weight. They should be installed as securely as possible when the pool isn’t in use and removed completely when it is. If it’s left there while the pool is being used, it could trap someone underneath it. To keep rain or snow from collecting in the middle of the cover and causing it to sag, place a pool air pillow beneath it.

Place Alarms

Even with a pool fence and cover, children may still be able to access the pool if they’re worn down or weren’t installed properly. That’s why you need an alarm.

Door Alarm

Attach alarms to any door leading to the pool area. Choose an alarm that has a distinct sound, one that you won’t mistake for a phone call or some other alarm, so you know it’s the pool area that’s been entered.

Pool Alarm

Door alarms may not be the best choice for commercial pool owners. The pool area may be a convenient route for guests to go through, after all. In that case, you can use a pool alarm. These alarms detect water movement and trigger when something or someone enters the pools and causes waves.

Always Have Adult Supervision

There’s no replacement for adult supervision at the pool. Whenever the pool is in use, there should always be someone to watch over the children. They shouldn’t be distracted with texting or reading either. In residential pools, these would be the childrens’ parents. Commercial pool owners should have lifeguards or give workers 15 to 30-minute shifts for watching over the pool.

Regular Pool Repairs and Maintenance

Improper pool maintenance may lead to both injury and sickness. Unbalanced water can cause your pool to become dirty. This can turn it into a habitat for bacteria, viruses, and algae. It may also irritate swimmers’ eyes and nose.

Unbalanced water can also corrode the pool liner, tiles, handrails, and ladders. This can create rough surfaces which can injure swimmers if their skin brushes past it. The same is true for cracked tiles.

Broken, loose, or missing drain covers are especially frightening as they can lead to drain suction entrapment. This is when someone or something gets stuck in the drain due to the strength of the suction. Children are especially vulnerable to this as they might not have the strength to break away.

Keep up with regular pool maintenance to avoid injuries and sickness.

Ensure Your Pool is Clean and Safe

City Wide Pool Service provides high-quality, personalized service. Choose us, and we’ll keep your residential or commercial pool in good condition with pool repair and maintenance.

Schedule a pool inspection now. Call us at 702-873-2989, email us at cwpoolservice@yahoo.com, or fill out our contact form.