Safety Comes Before Food or Outdoor Décor
Jul 2nd, 2010 by Kathy
Of the millions of Independence Day celebrations that will be taking place this weekend, a large percentage will be pool parties. If you’re going to host one, don’t skimp on the red, white, and blue decorations, when it comes to your pool house or cabana.
Of course, outdoor décor, although key, is not your first consideration; nor, for that matter, is the food. If you own a pool, you know that ensuring the safety of all those who will be using it takes precedence over everything. After all, you want everyone who goes swimming to have fun, and emerge feeling refreshed and, perhaps, hungry for another burger hot off the grill.
Obviously, the first, and most crucial, precaution is to never allow kids to go into the water unsupervised. Even those who know how to swim, or are using flotation devices, can develop cramps underwater, or hit their heads, before anyone knows what’s happening. Moreover, no child under four years old should be in the pool at all, unless accompanied by an adult.
So, make sure that there are enough patio chairs, lounge chairs, or steamer chairs around the pool, positioned too much to drink. Anyone overseeing children must be fully alert, and able to keep track of them; and that’s hard enough as it is, because, as I’ve noticed many times, while watching kids at pools, they all seem to look alike when they’re wet!
It’s also a good idea to set rules – in writing – and post them prominently, poolside, along with emergency numbers. Make sure that everyone reads them before going into the pool, and knows that they will be strictly enforced. Keep rescue equipment, such as a shepherd’s hook, or a life preserver, nearby; and, if you don’t already know it, learn CPR. Don’t hesitate to yell at your kids if they violate any regulations; and, if necessary, do it loudly enough to scare their friends straight, too.
A
ll pools should be enclosed with fences, at least four feet high, which have gates that can be locked, and no nooks or crevices that can be used as footholds. Keep outdoor furniture, such as garden benches and picnic tables, away from the outsides of the fences, so that kids can’t use them as aids in climbing.
When they’re not in use, pools should be covered; otherwise, open them completely. Never leave a cover on partway, because kids may get trapped beneath it. When an above-ground pool is not in use, remove its ladder. Don’t leave toys near the pool, especially moving things, such as tricycles and wagons.
Never let anyone dive into an above-ground pool, or from the sides of an in-ground pool; and don’t let anyone go down a slide head-first.
It’s also important to remember that even small amounts of water, such as can be held in wading pools, hot tubs, fountains, barrels, and even buckets, can pose perils to small children.
The point is to (please!) just be safe and happy, and have a wonderful time celebrating this, the
234th birthday of our nation; and (please!) be kind to each other while you’re at it (aw, heck, I know you will!).
Happy, Happy, Safe, Safe Fourth of July!
Kathy
