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Pool Safety Begins in Your Own Backyard

When your family swims at parks and beaches, there are fences, barriers and trained lifeguards on duty to keep everyone safe. But without proper poolside precautions normally found at public swimming areas, many splashing summer celebrations in residential pools could quickly turn tragic.

"Each year, more than 250 children under the age of 5 are drowning victims, often in their own backyards," says John Drengenberg, manager of Consumer Affairs for Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL). "Because child drowning is a silent death that alerts no one with splashes or yells for help, we all need to be more aware and attentive whenever our families are around a pool."

Drengenberg points out how following a few tips can keep your summer parties tragedy-free.

The 10/20 pool patrol rule

"Children in and around a pool require an adult's undivided attention," notes Drengenberg. "That means following the 10/20 rule. A supervising adult needs to be able scan the pool within 10 seconds and reach the pool within 20 seconds. Every second counts in preventing a drowning accident. In many incidents children had been missing for less than five minutes. At parties, family gatherings, or anytime kids are in the water, have an adult on 'pool patrol' to watch children swimming."

Other UL poolside safety precautions include:

  • If a child is missing, and a pool is in the area, always check the pool first;
  • Ensure the pool is in plain sight from the house. Remove any shrubs, vegetation or bushes that obstruct a clear view to the pool;
  • Always supervise young children including those who have had swimming lessons;
  • Flotation devices, toys and inflatable swimming aids are not babysitters, and they are not safety devices;
  • Keep rescue devices such as life preservers at poolside. Have a telephone nearby and appropriate emergency numbers posted;
  • Remove all toys when you leave the pool. Floats, balls and other toys may attract children to the unattended pool;
  • If you own a pool, learn infant and child CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and ensure your children take swimming lessons;
  • Always drain wading pools after your children are done playing. Infants can drown in just a few inches of water.

Barriers of protection

If you own a pool, UL safety experts recommend providing barriers of protection between children and pools, such as:

  • Make the pool inaccessible when it's not in use;
  • Install a fence at least 4-foot high with a self-closing, self-latching gate that has a locking mechanism beyond a child's reach. The fence should completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard;
  • Remove any overhanging tree limbs, chairs or ladders from the area to prevent children from climbing over the fence surrounding the pool. For above-ground pools, remove ladders and portable steps;
  • Don't forget a pool cover. They're not just for keeping debris out, they are also safety devices. Power safety covers are recommended for in-ground pools;
  • Consider adding pool motion sensor and gate alarms with piercing sounds to alert you to anyone approaching or jumping into the pool.

"With multiple protective barriers, children have to overcome all of them before reaching the pool," emphasizes Drengenberg. "This can help give you time to prevent any possible accidents. But remember, barriers are no substitute for adult supervision."

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