7 Pool Safety Tips So You Can Enjoy The Summer Swim Season

Great Mills Swimming Pool Safety Tips — Source: St. Mary’s County Government | Great Mills Swimming Pool

GREAT MILLS, Md. — During Southern Maryland’s hot summers, you’re likely to find many residents trying to beat the heat at the local pool. But with ongoing education and scary pool recalls, using the pool can feel daunting — especially when you’re dealing with younger kids who lack swim skills. A reminder of pool safety best practices can provide peace of mind and offer steps for a better pool-going experience.

Ross Schneider, the aquatics and wellness coordinator in St. Mary’s County, said “pool safety is paramount” and that an incident can happen in just a few inches of water. He recommended familiarizing yourself with pool safety resources offered by the American Red Cross, as well as following the tips below.

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At Public Pools

Listen to the lifeguards and follow the pool rules: Schneider said that part of pool safety at public pools is when patrons are too energetic or are using pool toys in ways they’re not supposed to. Making sure you follow rules like no running on the pool deck and no diving or jumping in the shallow end goes a long way in preventing injury. And when the lifeguards tell you something, you should listen. They’re trained to look out for your safety and for the safety of people around you.

Remember that lifeguards are not babysitters: Unfortunately, many caregivers will go to a pool and think that because a lifeguard is on duty, they don’t have to closely supervise the kids in their care. But a lifeguard cannot supervise kids for you. “They’re responsible for the safety of everyone on the pool deck,” Schneider said. “They can’t be watching any individual kid.”

SOMD Swimming Pool Safety Tips — Source: Calvert County Parks and Recreation | Cove Point Pool

At Home Pools

Never leave children unattended outside if there’s a pool: According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1–4. Leaving children unsupervised increases their risk. So even if the pool is gated or you’re confident the child can’t get into it, they should not be left unattended if there’s any body of water nearby. You should also make sure your pool has a firm cover during the winter so no one falls in.

Follow local rules about pool safety: Counties and towns have requirements for putting a pool on your property. Calvert County, for example, says that pools need to be surrounded by a fence no less than 4 feet high. Follow these rules and see if there are any other updated safety recommendations you can add, too.

Take care of your pool: Pools can have more risk factors outside of drowning. Check your pool’s chlorine and pH balance levels. Having the right chemical balance in your pool lessens the chance of skin irritation or infection affecting swimmers. Schneider also said to make sure your pool is structurally sound each time you use it and that anything sharp or heavy can cause damage.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips — Photo Credit: Envato

Everywhere

Swim within your skill level — and be honest about it: Everyone’s best opportunity to enjoy the pool safely is to stay within their skill level, and Schneider said issues come up when kids and adults are overconfident. It’s better to be safe than to take risks when it comes to being in the water. He also encouraged people of all ages to sign up for swim lessons and said the courses cover safety measures like learning the proper way to put on a life jacket.

Use the buddy system: People should use a buddy system when swimming, no matter how old they are. Even if you’re an adult and a confident swimmer, you never know what could happen. A medical incident, for example, could put you in danger. Schneider added that if you’re going to swim alone, a pool is better than an open body of water. “Though not by much,” he added.

“I want to encourage people to swim and for them to enjoy the water features around us safely,” Schneider said. He advised swim lessons for anyone who is learning or needs more confidence and said the county runs lifeguard training courses throughout the year for anyone interested.