Tips for Staying Safe at the Pool this Summer

Whether it’s in the backyard or at a local community center, swimming in a pool is as much a part of summer on the South Shore as cookouts or fireworks on the 4th of July.

However, while pools offer a break from the heat and can be a good source of exercise, pools can also be dangerous — especially for children.

According to the CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death in American children between the ages of 1 and 4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5-14.

As a pediatric emergency medicine provider, I’ve unfortunately seen what can happen when people don’t exercise extreme caution around pools — whether they’re top-of-the-line in-ground pools or small “kiddie” pools.

Practice proper pool precautions

Of course, this isn’t to say that pools should be avoided all summer. Instead, it’s important to take precautionary measures to ensure that your family’s time at the pool is as safe as possible.

• Ensure proper supervision – Children should never be left alone at a pool. A parent or guardian must be present at all times when children are either in the pool or in the area around the pool. Parents should not even “run inside for a minute” while a child is in or around the pool. It can take only a moment of lack of supervision for tragedy to occur.
• Ensure there are barriers around the pool – For home pools, appropriate fencing, gates, and pool covers are essential for ensuring maximum safety. Proper barriers will prevent a child from accessing the pool without the help of an adult.
• CPR courses save lives – Homeowners who have a pool on their property should strongly consider taking a CPR course as a safety measure. While most in-person classes are suspended, organizations like the American Red Cross offer online courses. You’ll hope you never need to practice what you learn, but taking a course could help save a life.
• Enroll your kids in swimming lessons & water safety courses – Early introduction to swimming is a great way to get your kids acclimated to the water from a young age. 
• Have life safety equipment on hand at all times – All pool owners should have basic life safety equipment easily accessible in the area around the pool. Items include life jackets, safety rings, and other flotation devices. It’s important to show children where this equipment is stored and how it’s used, just in case they ever need to find it.
• Wear sunscreen – Protect your skin! Even “waterproof” sunscreen needs to be reapplied multiple times over the course of the day. A rule of thumb is that 1 oz should be used per application. Check the label on your sunscreen for specific reapplication details.

Assisting a drowning victim with A-B-C

Homeowners who have pools on their properties should always know what to do to assist a drowning victim — even if it’s knowledge you never have to put into practice.

Known as the “A-B-C Method,” these are the steps you should take after a drowning victim has been removed from the water:

• (A)irway – Tilt the victim’s head back and ensure that the airway isn’t obstructed by vomit or debris.
• (B)reathing – Pinch the victim’s nose and breathe into the victim’s mouth.
• (C)irculation – Perform chest compressions to stimulate the heart and resume blood circulation.

The information above represents the most basic knowledge that a pool owner should have; however, I’d still recommend taking a proper CPR/water safety course as well.

Mark Waltzman, MD, is Chair of Pediatrics at South Shore Hospital. 

Dr. Waltzman is also an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and a Senior Associate in Medicine, Division of Emergency Medicine, at Boston Children's Hospital.