Compiling and Applying a Home Pool Water Safety Checklist
The Arizona Drowning Prevention Coalition is a group of medical experts, pool industry professionals, and concerned parents and citizens who want to ensure that every Arizona resident is equipped to prevent accidental water injuries. To support this effort, they provide a free pool safety inspection to identify areas where pool owners can make safety improvements in their pool area. While this is a fantastic initiative, ensuring a safe pool is not a one-time task. You can make your pool safer before and after your free inspection by creating and following a water safety checklist.
Why Are Checklists Effective? (If Followed)
The Arizona Drowning Prevention Coalition supports the use of a pool safety checklist because, when followed, checklists are an excellent tool. After all, pilots use them before every takeoff, and instruction videos follow their format because by breaking down a complex situation into simple steps, anyone can follow along. For many people, the most difficult part is remembering to use the checklist on a regular basis.
Fortunately, that is now easier than ever. Traditional methods, such as putting it on a calendar or putting the checklist in a visible location where you’ll see it, are excellent options. However, technology now allows you to schedule reminders to be delivered to your smart devices simply by speaking to your virtual assistant. You can even create your checklist as an app, making your computer or device the ideal tool for reminding yourself of the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona guidelines.
Developing Your Checklist
- While some pool areas are quite unique, these general safety precautions will help you ensure that your backyard pool and the people who use it are as safe as possible. For your family’s safety, make sure you not only follow these guidelines but also involve them. As your children grow older and visit public or private pools, they will be aware of potential hazards and will be able to stay safer. The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona recommends that you keep the following items on your water safety checklist.
- Make Sure Pool Users Can Swim – Making sure you, your family, and your frequent guests can all swim is a great first step toward pool safety. Swimming lessons can help users gain confidence in the water and provide them with the skills they need to fully utilize the pool as well as potentially rescue other swimmers who become distressed.
- Learn CPR And First Aid – First aid and CPR are more than just water safety skills; they are vital life skills that can help you save lives in the pool area, the office, or anywhere help is needed. Obtaining certification means you have the knowledge to treat minor injuries or serious emergencies until help arrives.
- Prepare Emergency Supplies – Make sure your pool area is ready in case of an accident. This means that safety flotations or grab rods are accessible, unblocked, and clearly marked. You should also keep a fully stocked first aid kit in an easily accessible location.
- Install Safety Barriers – Pool safety fences and pool safety covers are often required by civil codes, HOAs, or insurance carriers, and are recommended by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona to help ensure children and pets do not have unsupervised access to your swimming pool. Safety fences have self-closing, self-latching gates and are resistant to tearing or climbing. Safety covers are firmly anchored to the deck of your pool and are designed to keep people from falling in.
- Install Anti-Entrapment Drains – Drains should always be avoided by weaker swimmers or children because the suction can trap them underwater or injure them. To help avoid this drowning hazard, make sure your pool has a modern anti-entrapment drain cover and an automatic pump shut off.
- Keep Your Pool Area Clear – When not in use, toys, towels, and other items should always be picked up. Furthermore, ensure that the pool area is free of electrical hazards such as exposed wires, phone chargers, or accessories that are not specifically designed for use around water. Finally, inspect the area on a regular basis for damage that could lead to injuries, such as loose tiles, cracked wood, or fittings that need tightening.
Stay Aware And Safe.
Regularly reviewing your water safety checklist can help ensure that your pool is always ready for fun. If you’re ready for your safety inspection, contact the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona via their website. Contact A Safe Pool today for assistance in constructing a barrier that will keep your pool area both beautiful and safe.
