Protecting your loved ones — especially children — from drowning means being proactive. Drowning can happen in seconds and is often silent; it's also the No. 1 cause of death for children ages 1-4. Putting children in this age group in swimming lessons can reduce their drowning risk by up to 88%, according to a case study by the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine.
A recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and Step Into Swim found that 83% of parents of children 14 and under who responded are confident their children can be safe around water, yet only 52% are aware of places that offer local swimming lessons, which can significantly lower a child's risk of drowning.
Floaties and water wings are not enough to keep kids safe in the water, yet The Harris Poll found 66% of respondents believe they are. Rowdy Gaines — Olympic Swimmer and Vice President of Partnerships and Development at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and leader of the Step Into Swim initiative — advises parents and homeowners with pools to adopt the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) Layers of Protection Program in place, which include:
Supervise.
This includes supervision during both water and non-water activities in and around all bodies of water.
Construct barriers.
Pool safety covers, self-closing and self-latching gates and fencing along all four sides of the pool are all essential barriers preventing unsupervised pool access.
Install alarms.
Audible and visual alarms can immediately alert adults of access during non-swimming times — when 70% of youth drownings occur.
Educate children in water competency.
Prepare children for water emergencies by enrolling them in swimming lessons and teaching water competency and survival skills with a CPR-certified instructor.
Ensure everyone knows what to do if there's an emergency.
Ensure that adults and children alike are aware of age-appropriate actions to take in an emergency. This can include calling 911, performing CPR and being a swim buddy or a watcher to ensure no one is alone in and around the pool.
Create a family water safety plan.
Creating a family water safety plan can add an extra layer of protection to prevent accidental drowning. Instill rules like removing all toys when the pool isn't in use, talking to teens about risky behaviors and never swimming alone (particularly young children).
Setting safety rules for everyone should also be part of a homeowner's pool safety standards. Printing out these rules and displaying them, attending to children at all times near the pool, limiting running and never swimming alone are other pool safety guidelines to include.
While homeowners insurance covers swimming pools, there are likely requirements you'll have to follow to ensure you're adequately covered. Angel Conlin, Chief Insurance Officer at Kin Insurance, says that Kin requires that homeowners have, at minimum, a four-foot fence with a locking gate and keep the pool filled with water at all times.
Besides having coverage for the pool against damage, homeowners should consider the liability exposure a pool creates. If someone injures themselves or accidentally drowns, you could be sued. Working with your insurance agent can ensure you have enough coverage to protect yourself financially and minimize risks. If the liability coverage on your home insurance policy is not enough, consider purchasing a personal liability umbrella policy.
