Pool Safety Tips

Even as the summer is nearing a close (hard to believe, right?), there's still plenty of time to hit the pool. Pools can be a great place to relax and spend some time, however they are also a place where it's important to remain cautious.

Just this last Monday a serious accident nearly resulted in the drowning of musician Usher's five-year-old son. According to Atlanta police, the incident happened around 3 p.m. Monday, and occurred after the young boy had become partially caught in a pool drain. As a result the child remained underwater until a contractor working on Usher's home was able to come to his rescue. Fortunately, the contractor was able to administer CPR until the paramedics arrived.

Incidents like these are sad reminders that call attention to the need to be careful around pools. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a great website (poolsafely.gov) that provides numerous resources for keeping your family safe at the pool. Amongst those suggestions are the following:

• Always watch your children when they are in or near a pool or spa
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Have a portable telephone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

Again, pools are a fantastic place to spend a summer afternoon or evening. When these sort of terrible accidents happen, it really is a good time to look at what you can do to make your family's swimming experience safer.