Chesapeake In The Know

It’s prime time for pool time but with that comes some serious safety considerations. Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death in children ages 1-4. As a mother of a 1 year old, this statistic is enough to get me to pay attention. Whether or not you have small children of your own, there are several things to consider if you own a pool or plan to be around one.

• All outdoor swimming pools or hot tubs with water over 24 inches deep must be protected by a proper barrier. Details on those requirements are available on the Development and Permits page of the City’s website. 
• Teach your child to swim and use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets when appropriate but never rely on either to keep your child safe. Always, always monitor your child in and around a pool.
• Learn CPR. The Fire Department offers free classes on the first Thursday of each month.  Everyone should know CPR.
• Never swim while impaired by alcohol. Drinking can slow your reaction time and impair your judgment, two bad qualities when in or around a pool.

Swimming can be a wonderful activity for fitness and just for fun but the dangers of a pool are very serious. Swim safely!