Stay cool and safe this summer

Summer arrives on Monday, and the lure of the outdoors, cool gardens and a sparkling swimming pool becomes almost irresistible. What safety precautions can be taken, to ensure children are safe around water?

Backyard swimming pools account for half of all drowning deaths of children up to four years of age. Pool fencing and supervision are the most effective means of child drowning prevention with active adult supervision essential at all times when a child is in the pool or surrounding area.

Pool safety devices can also be used to reduce the risk of accidental drowning. These include gate alarms, pool alarms, motion detectors, wrist bands, pool covers, gate locks and lifejackets. Some are specifically designed to alert through a smartphone app, as soon as a child enters the pool area.

Each device has strengths and limitations that should be taken into consideration if you’re thinking about including them in your pool safety strategy. For instance, you might have older children who can use the pool but you want to be warned when the pool gate is opened, so a gate alarm may be appropriate.

When used properly, pool alarms can alert a homeowner if a child enters the water accidentally. They can be fitted to the edge of the pool or left floating in the water; when the sensors are triggered a loud signal goes off both inside the home and around the pool area.

Pool safety devices can give an additional layer of safety but is no substitute for a correctly installed and regularly maintained pool fence, gate and constant, active adult supervision.