Safety is the number one priority when you have a pool in your backyard. Splashing around on a summer day is bound to create amazing memories with friends and family, but it’s important to enforce safety rules so those memories don’t turn sour. Not sure where to start? Start with our pool safety checklist that has 4 rules every pool owner should have in their backyard escape.

  1. Everyone who enters the pool needs to know basic water safety. Every person is a little different when it comes to swimming skills and experience, so it’s important as a pool owner to recognize that and adjust safety measures accordingly. It’s ideal that everyone who enters the pool knows how to swim, but if that isn’t the case, minimally you can teach basic skills such as floating, holding your breath and arm strokes. Don’t assume that everyone knows what to do when they enter the water and be open to helping people learn or strengthen their swimming skills. 
  2. All pool (and poolside!) guests should know CPR in case of an emergency situation. Accidents happen even with the most experienced swimmers. Getting CPR trained or certified will give you the first-hand knowledge necessary to jump into a scenario if it ever presented itself. Those moments before professional help arrive can be critical and you want to be prepared to do everything you can before they get there. Additionally, it’s recommended to have a flotation device and any other safety equipment accessible if needed to pull the person out of the water.
  3. Proper pool maintenance needs to occur consistently and meticulously. This may seem like more of a rule for the pool owner, but it’s still extremely important to keep your pool area and your guests safe. Make sure you’re constantly testing the chemicals in your pool and are adjusting and balancing when necessary. For example, maintaining the proper pH balance will make a huge difference in how your water looks and feels. When chemicals like pH are too high, they can actually be damaging to people’s bodies.
  4. Adult supervision is required for any children in the pool area. When children are in the pool area, they need to be supervised by an adult. A child should never be left in or around open water. There are some products available that will help add an extra layer of protection to your backyard, such as a removable pool fence that can secure the perimeter of your pool. They can be found in a neutral see-through mesh, so even when the fence is up, you won’t lose sight of your pool. If a fence doesn’t fit your needs, you can also look into a pool safety cover for additional protection for kids, and even wildlife that wanders into your pool area during the offseason.

Enjoying your pool is one of the best parts of the warm weather. To make sure everyone has a great experience, it’s important to enforce rules for any family and friends who want to take a swim. You can start with some of the rules listed above and add accordingly based on your own preferences. As a pool owner, you should always be responsible for setting and enforcing the pool rules to ensure everyone has an enjoyable and safe experience.