Pool Safety Tips for a Safe Summer

As temperatures are rising, it’s essential to dive into the discussion of safety for everyone’s favorite summer spot – the pool. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer or a parent keeping watchful eyes on the kids, understanding swim safety ensures a fun and secure summer.

Here are a few precautions to keep in mind when going to the pool:

Take swimming lessons: Learning how to swim is important for staying safe in the water. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that children can begin learning to swim as early as one year old. Consider your child’s comfort level, emotional maturity, and physical and developmental abilities or limitations before signing them up for lessons. Attending swimming lessons with your child may help them feel more confident and comfortable. And remember, swim lessons are available for adults, too.

Secure your pool area: Having a pool barrier, such as a fence, will help keep children away from the pool during unsupervised times. Research the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s helpful guide to decide which barrier is best for you.

Follow the pool rules: There are important rules in place to keep you safe. Some universal rules include:

Always swim under supervision: Most public pools have lifeguards, but keeping your own supervision of your child is the most reliable. Whether it is at a public or private pool, supervision is necessary.
Keep a safe pace: This means no running. The area around the pool is slippery and running could cause an injury.
Play cautiously: It’s easy to get caught up in the pool excitement, but making sure everyone involved is safe is important. Holding your breath, backward diving, and playing tag on the concrete are all examples of unsafe pool activities. A few examples of safer activities include swimming contests, diving toys, and playing catch with beach balls.

Learn CPR: Learning CPR can be crucial for swim safety, but it can also be used anywhere else. It is effective for drowning, head injuries and heart attacks. Register for training to receive a certificate at American Red Cross. Practice regularly and update your certificate when needed.

For private pool owners, Santee Cooper’s EmpowerSC Home program has rebates of up to $225 on qualified heat pump pool heaters and $275 on qualified pool pump motors. Plus, we offer low-interest loans for customers to help with the expense of replacing energy-efficient equipment.

If you’re looking for a place to swim this summer, but a pool isn’t your thing, check out Overton Beach Park on the banks of Lake Moultrie. The park is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is also a great place to picnic or simply sunbathe on the beach.

Water safety is key to a secure and fun summer. Taking precautions at the pool will make the good times easy.