May 11, 2015

May is National Water Safety Month

As owners and builders of pools, we understand that a few key safety tips can help ensure a fun, safe swim season. Here are some of the “Rules of the Pool” we follow:

  • Learn to swim well! It’s never to late to learn. Almost two million people of all ages learn to swim each year programs through local recreation departments and Red Cross Programs.
  • Always closely supervise children whenever they are near any body of water. This applies to pools, spas or any body of water – no matter how shallow.
  • Weak or inexperienced swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved floatation devices anytime they’re around water.
  • Know how to respond to an emergency (including lifesaving CPR skills), how to tell if a swimmer is in distress and how and when to call for emergency help. If you have a pool or hot tub, keep lifesaving gear handy.
  • Always have on hand a ring buoy, life jackets, rope, pole or other object that can be used to help a person in trouble.
  • Be sure to have a first aid kit, phone and emergency contact information by the pool.

Contact your local Red Cross chapter, local swim school or recreation department for more information on learning to swim, water safety, home pool safety, first aid and CPR classes. (For more information, visit RedCross.org). A fun swim season is a fun swim season!