A couple summers ago, I wrote a blog post outlining several safety tips for pool owners. Because many homes in Santa Barbara have beautiful pools and spas, I thought it would be prudent to add a few more and remind those of us with those wonderful outdoor amenities about the importance of keeping kids safe around residential water features. So please be sure to reread my previous post, and implement all the tips I mentioned there, as well as these additional 7 tips.
According to a public education campaign run by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for Pool Safely, drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for 1- to 4-year-olds. In fact, almost 400 youngsters drown in pools and spas every year. That means about one child under 15 drowns every day in our country, and 87% of those fatalities occur in residential water features.
If you have a pool or spa or are moving into a new home with these amenities, read and implement these 7 tips to keep your kids and their friends safe.
- Teach Kids to Swim
Not only is swimming fun and good exercise for kids, but it can actually save lives. Children that don’t know how to swim have a 70% higher chance of drowning. The Santa Barbara Tennis Club offers swim lessons as well as a summer swim camp. - Designate a Water Watcher
Remember to have adult supervision whenever kids are in the pool or spa. Designating one adult to be solely responsible for watching kids in swimming pools and spas can prevent accidents. Keep in mind, drowning is not like in the movies, there’s no splashing or calling for help. Children go down quickly and silently. - Implement Fences, Barriers and Other Safety Measures
Think fence or safety net. Even if you don’t have kids, you still need to have some sort of barrier around your pool. - Install Pool alarms
Have you installed a pool alarm? If not, you can find many of these devices on Amazon. They detect waves or movement in the water so you know when someone has fallen in. - Update Pool Drain Covers
Suction from drains can be strong enough to hold an adult underwater. Be sure to check that the drains to your pools and spas are anti-entrapment and compliant with VGB. - Have Your Pool Inspected Regularly
At least once a year, have your pool inspected to ensure everything is functioning properly. Pool equipment (pumps, filters, vacuums), lights, power or extension cords, overhead power lines, electrical outlets, radios, stereos and TVs are all sources of electricity around pools and spas that can cause injury or even death. There are a number of inspectors in Santa Barbara. - Learn CPR
EnjoyCPR Safety Training is one of the nation’s largest providers of American Red Cross and American Heart Association CPR, AED, BLS, First Aid, and Blood-borne Pathogen classes. It’s easy to find classes in Santa Barbara.
The bottom line: by implementing these 7 tips for keeping kids safe around your home water amenities, you will ensure a summer filled with fun! If you are considering applying these safety tips to a pool and spa in a new home in Montecito, Hope Ranch or any of Santa Barbara’s upscale communities, I’m here to help. Please take a look at my comprehensive website then call me at 805.886.9378 or email me at Cristal@montecito-estate.com. There are some amazing properties available right now.