Small backyard pools are a delightful way for your family to relax. This is especially true here in humid Houston. And, they are a great way for everybody to get some exercise.
The only problem is that they can also be dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause in deaths among children ages 1 to 4 except for birth defects. Nearly 75% of deaths for children under 15 years old occur in home swimming pools. These numbers can be verified in this sobering article at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Drownings can happen to anyone. They can happen to anyone and nearly everywhere. Eleven children drowned in Harris county, Texas last year. Four in a swimming pool, two in a bath tub, and 5 in a pond or a creek.
Think about it for a moment! Think about the unexpected loss to these families. It is so sad.
Drowning will never be completely eliminated. There are, however, a lot of things that we can do about it to reduce the chances of it ever happening in our families.
Small Backyard Pools Can Be Safer
Teaching everyone in our families to swim is one of them. This is critically important! A study done by the American Red Cross showed that only 56% of Americans could show that they are water competent.
Things have changed overtime. Now days, most children 6-months old or older are fully capable of learning the basics to swimming and/or floating. It is also great for their cognitive development. It was four years old when I was a child.
The American Red Cross and the YMCA have free and/or inexpensive classes for teaching children to swim. I would like to add… my wife has had a swimming school for nearly 20 years old that teaches young children to swim. Her school is located in The Woodlands area of Houston… you can give her school a call, also.
Constant supervision is another important factor in preventing a drowning accident. If your children are swimming or even near water, they should be supervised 100% of the time. Keep children in the pool at arms length... no further. NEVER rely upon air-filled toys and/or safety devices to keep your children alive!
Fence in all home swimming pools or bodies of water with a really safe and secure fence. There are fences made especially for this. Don’t think you can get by with a cheap, imitation. Don’t take the risk!
Remove all debris from around your fence. Don’t leave anything around that children can use or move around your fence to gain access to the water. Small children are creative and they love pools of water. It is in their nature.
Need Help? Call Life Saver Of Houston…
We’ve been installing life-saving pool fences for many years, now. We are in this business because we nearly lost our own child in a drowning accident!
My name is Wayne. I’m the owner of Life Saver Of Houston and of the website BestPoolFenceHouston.com. If you have any questions or need any help with a pool fence, give me a call by dialing (832) 367-2377. Or, you can email me… I’ll respond rapidly.