A residential swimming pool is a fantastic way for families and friends to engage in healthy recreational activities while also having a bit of fun. Taking a leisurely swim with friends is a popular way to spend the day, especially when the warm days of summer arrive. However, while swimming pools remain popular among numerous homes across the United States, the importance of implementing key safety measures cannot be overstated. By ensuring that particular safety and security measures are in place, a family can gain the maximum benefit of a swimming pool, while by avoiding injuries, as well as the risk of trespassers. In this article, we take a look at some basic safety tips that one must introduce with a swimming pool.
Creating a safe swimming environment
Many families have small children, and even infants that may not have learn how to swim yet. As such, preventing children from wandering into the swimming pool without any adult supervision and guidance is absolutely crucial. One of the ways that parents of your children can keep the swimming pool secure from their children is through the installation of a small fence or fence-like barriers. Alternatively, one can even place a cover over the swimming pool. Some individuals may even want to consider installing a pool alarm that is set off as soon as an unauthorized person enters the pool.
A swimming pool can be quite tempting for young children. While swimming along with their parents is one thing, in many cases, they may be inclined to enter the pool while their parents are away from the home. It is vital to communicate to children that the pool is completely off-limits to them when there is no one to supervise their activity.
Swimming pools, when left untreated, can turn into cesspools of bacteria. In order to keep your swimming pool clean, it is imperative to make sure that water filtration and circulation mechanisms are functioning effectively. Moreover, it is of equal importance to check the chemical content of the water, and use products that reduce the risk of swimmers developing skin conditions like rashes.
Any homeowner with a swimming pool installed must make himself/herself aware of important CPR techniques, in the event of an aquatic emergency. You may want to consider hiring a professional to educate you, your friends and your loved ones on how to respond to an emergency.
Other important tips to keep in mind
Apart from introducing different safety measures that protect swimmers and non-swimmers in your home, it is also important to note the many safety tips that should be followed by engaging in a leisurely swim. A swimming emergency need not only take place when a swimmer is alone. In many cases, it may happen without other swimmers even realizing. Let us take a look at some basic safety information to keep in mind when going swimming.
A swimming pool’s filtration and circulation system will naturally consist of many pipes and drains. Small children, in their curiosity, may sometimes get their tiny hands trapped in this mechanisms and thereby run the risk of serious injuries. Young children must be educated and told not to play near drains or piping that is in use.
Before one can go for a swim with small children, it is extremely important to teach them some basic swimming skills. At the end of the day, there is always a small risk that a parent may not be able to monitor a child for some reason or another. Equipping your children with basic swimming skills will greatly reduce the risk of an emergency arising. 
If you have suddenly found that a child has gone missing, the first thing you should do is thoroughly check the swimming pool. This is particularly important if there are other children also swimming. In some cases, children may not realize that one of their friends is actually drowning. It is the responsibility of the adult to keep a close eye on them at all times.
When an individual is drowning in a swimming pool, there is a very small window in which they need to be rescued. Jumping into the pool and swimming to them may not always be the best course of action. Consider purchasing important safety equipment like a floating life jacket that can easily be tossed or thrown to a person in need of rescue.
Finally, it goes without saying that the swimming pool should be off limits to individuals who have consumed alcohol. While there is naturally a temptation to have a pleasant swim after a few drinks, the risk of an aquatic emergency developing is far higher in such circumstances. Moreover, swimming can be quite a tiresome exercise, and it is important to stay fully hydrated at all times, to avoid the risk of fainting in the pool.