Consider all the following suggestions…
- Ensure adult supervision at all times– don’t get distracted while watching children playing in and around the pool
- Restrict access to swimming pools
- Use of a pool fence with a self-latching, spring-loaded gate
- Install a good quality net fitted by a professional.
- Consider fitting a pool alarm and / or a alarm on the pool gate
- Teach children to swim as young as possible
- Contact Swimming South Africa (SSA) for a list a certified instructors
- Be aware that buoyancy aids like inflatable wings do not replace the need to teach children to swim
- Encourage safety conscious behavior around the pool
- Don’t allow children to push children into the pool, run around the pool or hold other children under water.
- Don’t eat or drink immediately before or during swimming
- Remove pool toys from the pool to prevent a child trying to reach out for these
- Remember to empty the water from paddling pool when not in use
- Follow on-pack instruction for safe handling and storage of pool chemicals
- Keep any potential hazard out of the reach of children
- Buy products that have resealable child safe closures
- Keep products in their original packages so that they can easily be identified
- Always read the storage instructions on the packs and make sure you separate incompatible products
- Store products such as turpentine, paint, fertilisers, gas cylinders and pool chemicals away from the general living area
- Pool chlorine chemicals should be stored away from other products to prevent contamination
- Make sure that the storage area is cool, dry and well ventilated
- Do not reuse or refill empty containers
