The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona is a group of medical experts, pool industry professionals, and concerned parents and citizens who want to make sure every Arizona resident is empowered to help prevent accidental water injuries. To further this effort, they offer the opportunity to get a free pool safety inspection to identify areas in which pool owners can make safety improvements in their pool area. While this is a great initiative, making sure you are maintaining a safe pool is not a one-time task. By making and following a water safety checklist, you can ensure your pool is safer before and after your free inspection.
Why Checklists Work (If Followed)
The Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona supports the use of a checklist for pool safety because, when followed, checklists are a great tool. After all, pilots use them before every take-off, and instruction videos follow their format because by making a complicated situation into a step-by-step process, anyone can follow along. The hardest part for many people is remembering to do use the checklist regularly.
Luckily, that’s easier now than ever. Traditional methods, like putting it on a calendar or placing the checklist in a visible area where you’ll see it are great possibilities. Technology, however, adds the ability to schedule reminders delivered to your smart devices just by talking to your virtual assistant. You can even build your checklist on an app, making your computer or device the perfect way to remind yourself about the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona guidelines.
Creating Your Checklist
While there are some very unique pool areas, these general safety steps will help you make sure you’re keeping your backyard pool and the people who use it as safe as possible. Make sure you not only follow these guidelines for your family’s safety but get them involved as well. That way, as your kids grow older and find themselves visiting public or private pools, they know what kind of hazards to watch for so they can remain safer. Here are a few items the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona suggests you keep on your water safety checklist.
- Make Sure Pool Users Can Swim – Ensuring you, your family, and your frequent guests are all competent swimmers is a great first step for pool safety. Swimming lessons can help make users more confident in the water and give them the skills they need to make full use of the pool and potentially rescue other swimmers who become distressed.
- Learn First Aid And CPR – First aid and CPR aren’t just water safety skills, but vital life skills that can help you save lives in the pool area, at the office, or wherever help is needed. Getting certified means you have the knowledge to manage minor injuries yourself or serious emergencies until help arrives.
- Keep Emergency Equipment Ready – Make sure your pool area is ready if an accident occurs. This means safety flotations or grab rods are available, unblocked, and prominently marked. You should also have a fully-stocked first aid kit in a place it can easily be located and used.
- Install Safety Barriers – Often required by civil codes, HOAs, or insurance carriers, pool safety fences and pool safety covers are recommended by the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona to help ensure children and pets don’t have unsupervised access to your swimming pool. Safety fences resist tearing or climbing and have self-closing, self-latching gates. Safety covers are firmly anchored to your pool’s deck and are meant to prevent someone from falling in the pool.
- Install Anti-Entrapment Drains – For weaker swimmers or children, drains should always be avoided as the suction can trap them underwater or potentially injure them. Make sure your pool has a modern anti-entrapment drain cover and an automatic pump shut off to help avoid this drowning hazard.
- Keep Your Pool Area Clear – Toys, towels, and other items should always be picked up when not in use. In addition, make sure the pool area is free of electrical hazards, like exposed wires, phone chargers, or accessories not specifically designed for use around water. Finally, check periodically for damage in the area that could lead to injuries like loose tiles, cracked wood, or fittings that need tightening.
Stay Aware And Stay Safe
Reviewing your water safety checklist regularly can help make sure your pool is always ready for fun. Reach out through the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona’s website if you’re ready for your safety inspection. If you need help creating a barrier that leaves your pool area beautiful and safe, contact A Safe Pool today.
