Moving into a new house with a pool will definitely be a hit with the kids, especially as the summer starts to arrive. But even though a pool can be a great way to cool down on a warm day, you have to make sure your kids are staying safe.
Hydration
A straightforward way to prevent heat stress in the warmer weather is to stay hydrated. Our bodies are about 60% to 78% water, and that water is essential for regulating body temperature. In addition to staying hydrated, getting your kids in the pool can keep them comfortable in the summer. You can do this just as long as you’re ensuring their safety.
Supervision
According to Johnson Memorial Health, it’s essential to always keep an eye on your kids when they’re playing in the pool. If you can’t be there, have another adult ready to take over. If you need to run into the house, even for a moment, have your children get out of the pool until you come back outside. It only takes a few seconds for something to go wrong in the pool, so do everything in your power to prevent any accidents from happening.
Security And Safety
When the pool isn’t in use, make sure the water and its surrounding area are well protected. Whenever your kids are done swimming, put the cover on the pool to make sure no one falls in. You may also choose to install a fenced in area around the water that can be locked when the pool isn’t in use. Install a four-sided isolation fence at least five feet high, equipped with self-closing and self-latching gates, which surrounds the pool and prevents direct access from the house and yard.
The Charlotte Observer suggests installing an alarm. Even if you plan to put your pool cover over the water, children and other people are still able to crawl on top of it. Installing an alarm will alert you that someone is near or in your pool when they’re not supposed to be. The signal will go off in your home, so you can hear it even when you’re not outside.
Regardless of your child’s age, always remind them that safety is paramount. Teach them not to run around the pool, or even around the hot tub or spa if that’s what you own. The area around these units can get slippery. So if your child was horsing around, they could slip and fall and potentially hurt themselves.
The American Red Cross says you and your child should enroll in home pool safety, water safety, and first aid/CPR/AED courses. These courses can be helpful as they will teach you how to be safe in the water, how to treat someone who may have had an accident in or near the pool, and will show you how to administer CPR if you need to. You may find it difficult to get your child to fully understand water safety risks, so if they take these courses, they’re going to get a lot more information. This extensive information will teach them the ins and outs of safety, and might even tell them things they weren’t able to learn from you.
Conclusion
Most Americans choose to move in the summer. In fact, in 2016, 13.9% of house moves occurred in June. If you’re among those moving home this summer and you’re transitioning into a home with a pool, your kids are going to love you. So act on our safety tips, ensure you move your house utilities to ensure you don’t end up paying for the previous owners’ enjoyment and allow your kids to thoroughly enjoy your pool this summer, just make sure you’re keeping them safe.
