Pool and water safety 101

That first swim of the season at the family cottage, the blow-out pool party at your cousin's or the quiet pond in the park that just invites meditation: Many memorable summer vacations or experiences involve water.

Cool, soothing water offers dive-right-in relief on sweltering days, a deliciously serene ambiance and -- in the case of swimming pools -- great entertainment and exercise for all ages. However, a swimming pool can also be hazardous if you don't follow safety and care guidelines. Here's how to practise pool safety this summer

1. For ornamental ponds, birdbaths or other water features
-Put off building such features until your children are at least five.

-Keep mosquitoes from hatching and posing a West Nile virus risk by: keeping water moving with a pond filter or aerator (solar-powered models are now available) and changing still water at least every couple of days. You can also stock your pond with egg- and larvae-eating fish.

-Check with your town or city about laws concerning small ponds (for example, some municipalities state that ponds deeper than a certain amount are pools and are therefore subject to pool laws (see below).

2. Make sure your swimming pool is safe by following these recommendations from Health Canada:

-Put a fence around your pool with a self-closing, self-latching gate and check city laws before you build or buy.

-Keep the gate to the pool area locked at all times.

-In and around the pool, make sure an adult supervises children -- even those who can swim or have had swimming lessons.

-Children under three years of age and older ones who can't swim must wear a life vest or PFD (personal flotation device).

-Make sure the pool cover is completely removed before anyone enters the water.

Click to continue to more pool safety tips, plus safe boating advice and more...