The summer season brings hot and humid weather, leaving families wanting to cool off in lakes, water parks and swimming pools.  As many of us enjoy a variety of recreational pursuits on the water, it is vital to remain watchful in preventing water-related injuries and drowning. What parents do not know is that it only takes two inches of water for a small child to drown in, enough to cover the mouth and nose.  According to the Canadian Red Cross, drowning is one of the leading causes of death for Canadian children ages one to four.  The importance of water safety can mean the difference between life or death for a member of your family.  There are simple things you should know as a parent or supervisor when making a visit to your local pool or going up north to the cottage.  Take a moment to think about water safety.

Follow The Standard

Managing and minimizing risk in backyard pools can be achieved through installing a few physical safety features.  Setting boundaries, such as fencing around the pool, is ideal for smaller children.  This aids in minimizing accidents when small children are present. Ideally the fencing should reach a minimum height of six feet and should surround the pool completely.  Gates are recommended to be self-latching and self-closing, so the gate is not inadvertently left open.  A smart consideration for the pool area is self-locking gates, as this can keep small children from entering the pool area unsupervised. 

Properly Equipped

Within the pool area there are certain types of equipment that can come in handy during an emergency.  Always ensure there is at least one personal floatation device (PFD); this is essential for individuals who cannot swim in the deep end.  A reaching pole and ring buoy with a rope are useful for situations when you need to bring a swimmer back to safety if he or she is tired or cannot swim.  A first aid kit in the pool area can assist individuals in the event of an injury.  And lastly, having a telephone that is less than one minute away to quickly reach emergency medical services (EMS) is vital in urgent situations.  Remember to continually assess your environment for anything that can be considered harmful to the safety of yourself and others.