Summer is in full swing, which means pools are open around the country. There’s never been a better place to relax and cool off during these heat waves than the cool refreshing water of a swimming pool, but it’s also important to remember safety when swimming.
Learning to swim is one of those life skills that everyone should learn at some point in their lives. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, put yourself out there and learn how to swim as it could save your life in the event of an emergency.
In addition to knowing how to swim, there are other safety tips you can follow in order to make sure that you and your loved ones stay safe when visiting the pool this summer. These safety tips are great for in the pool as well as just relaxing around the pool deck on a hot day.
Swimming is a great way to cool off, relax, and even get a full body workout without the impact of running or playing sports, but it’s still important to be safe and follow the rules wherever you are. We know rules can sometimes be a bit strict at certain places, but they are in place for a reason.
Let’s take a look at some great tips for staying safe around the pool this summer.
Pool Safety Tips
These pool safety tips are designed to help keep everyone safe as you enjoy cooling off in a nice refreshing pool this summer. They are not designed to hinder your fun or take the joy out of swimming, but rather prevent injury or medical emergencies from ruining your day.
Watch Your Children
The biggest tip we have for you this summer when at the pool or the beach is to keep an eye on your young children. Just because they might have passed swimming lessons and know how to swim, doesn’t mean that they will know what to do in an emergency or won’t have a slip up every once in a while.
Sometimes the deep end in a pool sneaks up on you or the waves at the beach can become too strong. There are a number of things that can happen in an instant, even to experienced swimmers, so it’s important to just make sure you have eyes on your kids at all times when near water.
Use Life Jackets or Floaties
If you or your children are not strong swimmers, and you’re going to be in the water, it’s always a good idea to wear a life jacket or coastguard certified floaties. Most pools will allow these types of floaties for younger kids, but they must be coastguard certified, so be sure to check with your local pool.
Life jackets and floaties are also required for young children if you are on a boat on the lake or in the ocean. Adults don’t necessarily need to wear them at all times on a boat, but the boat must have enough life jackets for all people on the boat in case of an emergency.
Follow Posted Rules at the Pool and the Beach
Both public pools and beaches will have rules posted and it’s important that you follow these rules. These rules are there for a reason, to help keep everyone safe, they aren’t there just to rain on your parade. If the pool rules are no glass containers, don’t bring glass containers. If you’re not supposed to run around the pool deck, don’t run around the pool deck.
People are walking around the pool area with bare and wet feet, one piece of glass could cause a major cut on a foot or hand, not to mention one slip on the hard pool deck could cause major head injuries or broken bones.
Following the posted rules will ensure the safety of you and everyone else at the pool or beach.
Stay Hydrated
Many adults like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage while relaxing by the pool, but alcohol causes dehydration and if you’re not careful, you could become sick because of it.
Whether you’re drinking alcohol or just hanging out by the pool on a super hot day, but sure to drink plenty of water. This will help keep you hydrated and help prevent the hit from causing issues like dizziness and other symptoms of dehydration. Nobody wants to end their pool day at the hospital because of dehydration.
Sun Protection
It’s easy to forget that even though this tip has nothing to do with the water, it still causes harm to a lot of people sitting around the pool or the beach.
The sun can cause a lot of health issues if you don’t apply proper sunscreen before laying out or going swimming. In addition to severe sunburn, the sun can cause things like heat rash, sun poisoning and even skin cancer if exposed for long periods of time throughout your life.
Protecting your skin will allow you to enjoy the sun and not have to worry about developing any of these painful ailments. One day in the sun without sunscreen can ruin an entire vacation.
It’s also important to remember to reapply your sunscreen every hour or so, especially if you’ve gone in the water. Yes, sunscreen is waterproof, but only for a certain amount of time and will eventually need to be reapplied to ensure that you’re still protected from the harmful UV rays.
Know Signs of Distress
A person struggling in the water may not always seem like they are having trouble. Struggling to swim or drowning doesn’t always look like the movies.
Cramps, difficulty breathing, and panic can all be signs that a person is having trouble in the water, but it quietness and stillness can also be problematic as well. Be sure to keep an eye on your friends and family while in and out of the water to ensure that everyone is safe.
Safe Swimming This Summer
The pool and the beach are great ways to beat the heat this summer, but it’s also important to make sure you’re protected and being safe.
Watching your children and being mindful of where they are at, even if they are strong swimmers, is one of the best things you can do to stay safe while at the pool. Follow the pool rules and wear floaties or a life jacket if you don’t feel comfortable in the water.
By following these tips you’ll be sure to have a great time at the pool this summer!