Top 5 Tips for Getting Ready for Pool Season

#1: Check your pool fences and gates

One of the most effective ways to prevent drowning is to fully secure your pool area with sturdy fences and gates. In fact, if children under the age of six live in your home, Arizona law requires that your pool area be enclosed by fencing that is at least five feet high and free of openings through which a child could pass, as well as self-closing, self-latching gates. These regulations serve as excellent guidelines for all pool owners, even if you don’t have small children.

If you already have pool fences and gates installed, now is a good time to check the following:

• Are the gate’s self-closing and self-latching mechanisms functioning properly?
• Do the fences and gates have any rust or other damage, such as broken slats, that could make it easier for a child or pet to access the pool area?
• Are your fences and gates compliant with both state and local law?

If you notice any issues that could create a safety hazard, it’s important to make repairs as soon as possible. And if you are in need of new pool fences or gates, get in touch with our team! We offer an extensive selection of pool fences, gates, pool coverings, and other products to ensure that your pool area is in safe condition for swimming season and all year-round.

#2: Invest in swimming lessons for kids

While it’s crucial to remember that no amount of swimming instruction will make a child “drown-proof,” teaching basic swimming skills from an early age can help keep kids safe when they’re in the water. In fact, the American Association of Pediatrics recommends that children start taking swimming lessons from the age of one, so consider enrolling your little ones in classes or hiring a private instructor so they’ll feel safer and more comfortable in the pool this summer.

#3: Learn CPR and review first-aid procedures

No one wants to imagine having to administer CPR on a loved one—but in the case of drowning incidents, mere seconds can be crucial in preventing death or serious brain damage. Therefore, parents and other caregivers should consider becoming CPR-certified. In advance of pool season, it can also help to review basic first-aid procedures and compile a first-aid kit to be kept in or near the pool area.

#4: Clean the pool and get the water professionally tested

There are several steps involved in getting the pool itself ready for swimming. For instance, start by removing debris from the water, cleaning the filters, and tidying up the space surrounding the pool—including trimming trees and bushes—in order to reduce the amount of debris that will make its way into the pool in the coming months. Additionally, you’ll want to have the water tested by taking a sample to a pool store or having a pool care professional come to your home. While pool chemistry test strips are helpful to have on hand for checking the water on a day-to-day basis, the beginning of pool season is a good time for a more thorough test to check for things like the mineral content of the water, total alkalinity, and calcium hardness.

#5: Equip your pool area with safety devices

Another effective way to reduce the risk of drowning is to keep safety devices, such as lifesaving rings or shepherd’s hooks, in the pool area at all times. These can be crucial in getting a child or other struggling swimmer out of the water quickly. In addition, small children and others who are not strong swimmers should wear Coast Guard-approved life jackets whenever they’re near the water; keep in mind that arm floaties are not reliable when it comes to preventing drowning.

As you get ready for pool season, remember that the most important step you can take to reduce the risk of drowning is to always ensure that a responsible, attentive adult is keeping a close eye on children whenever they’re near the water. Ideally, the supervising adult should stay within arm’s reach of the swimmers they are watching, and should be knowledgeable about how to recognize the signs of drowning.

In need of new pool fences, gates, or other safeguards to secure your pool area? The team at Arizona Pool Fence will work with you to find the best option to suit your needs and the style of your property. Contact us today to request an estimate!