Focus Magazine of SWFL Hot Summer Looks | Page 140

Splash
Family Pool Fun

Warmer weather brings leisurely days spent poolside with friends
and family. As you get ready to dive in to another season of fun in
the sun, remember that safety comes first.
With more than 10 million residential pools across America, the
opportunities for water recreation right at home are plentiful. But
so, too, are the chances of water-related mishaps.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, drowning is the fifth
leading cause of unintentional injury death in the United States.
Children are particularly at risk; one in five drowning victims is
age 14 or younger. However, dedicating appropriate attention to
your family pool’s maintenance and ensuring you have created an
environment of safety will let you enjoy swimming and splashing
with greater peace of mind.
“Pools are a great source of enjoyment for families, and with
proper supervision and care, the entire family can confidently dive
in to hours of fun,” said Joe DeFuria, Brand Manager of BioGuard.
“Taking time early in the season to brush up on this important
information will help keep everyone safe all summer long.”
The CDC cites “lack of swimming ability, lack of barriers to prevent unsupervised water access, lack of close supervision while
swimming” as some of the leading risks associated with drowning.
Preventive efforts such as learning to swim (or teaching swimming
skills), ensuring at least one person with CPR training is present
when the pool is in use and having proper safety devices (e.g., life
vests and preservers) readily accessible help reduce injuries and
accidents.

Family Features

Put these measures in place so you can enjoy the fun at
hand, without the worry:
1. Designate a “lifeguard.” Always pick at least one responsible
adult to monitor children at all times.
2. Know CPR: Before investing in a pool, be sure to take a CPR
class. The faster CPR can be administered to a person in distress,
the stronger the long-term outcome.
3. Keep your water clean: Pool safety also includes keeping the
water clean and sanitary for your family. Invest in the proper
tools, such as the pool care systems from BioGuard, to keep your
waters crystal clear.
4. Enroll kids in swimming lessons: Teach the skill of swimming to
children at a young age. Enroll kids in classes to learn the basics
and avoid accidents.
5. Teach the parts of a pool: Show children where to locate the
drains, pipes and other pool openings. Explain the importance of
avoiding these areas while swimming as they can cause harm.
6. Keep an eye in the sky: Storms can strike at any time in the
summer. Be aware of the current weather and the day’s forecast
before you jump in for a swim.
7. Don’t rely on toys: Swimming noodles, inner-tubes and other
inflatable pool toys do not take the place of a life jacket.
8. Keep a phone close: Always keep a cell phone or portable
phone with you while supervising kids in the pool.
9. Keep your pool tidy: Keeping your pool toys and other clutter
picked up after use will not only help prevent trip-and-fall accidents, it will also be less tempting for unwanted pool guests to
engage in unsafe activities on your property.
10. Fence it up: Keep uninvited guests and potential accidents
away from your pool property by installing a four-foot or taller
fence along with a self-closing, self-latching gate.

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40 FOCUS of SWFL 2014
Family Features

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

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