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...

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-Ensure lifesaving equipment is close by and in good repair. You should have both a reaching assist or shepherd's hook, and a throwing assist, or ring buoy with a rope attached. Keep a first-aid kit handy and regularly replenish its supplies.

-Post or store emergency phone numbers at the telephone closest to the pool.

-Keep toys, garden furniture and tools away from the pool fence to discourage children from climbing on them and getting into the pool area.

-No diving! Few backyard pools are deep enough for safe diving; above-ground pools are certainly not.

-Store pool chemicals in clearly labelled, childproof containers and keep them out of reach.

-Don't drink alcohol before -- or while -- swimming.

3. Safe swimming, boating and precautions for water park fun.
On vacation? The Canadian Red Cross offers the following water-safety guidelines:

At the water park
-Read posted safety rules with your children and make sure they understand the guidelines for safe play
-Ensure there are lifeguards at the top and bottom of water slides
-Abide by height and weight restrictions at each ride

Swimming in lakes or oceans
-Never dive unless you are sure the water is at least 10 feet deep, and remember that ocean- and lake depths can change with tides and seasons
-When ocean swimming, educate yourself on tides and currents, and be mindful of the weather
-Know the signs of hypothermia and leave the water if you develop any of the symptoms
-As at any pool, supervise children at all times

Boating
-Make sure everyone wears a PFD, and that each person tries his or hers on before shoving off. Make sure life vests fit and all zippers and buckles work properly.
-Powerboats must be operated by someone with a Pleasure Craft Operator Card

4. Be a better swimmer
One of the best things you can do to keep your family water-safe (whether at home or on vacation) is to make sure everyone knows how to swim from an early age.

For swimming lessons, check with The Canadian Red Cross Society, your local YMCA or community centre. And don't forget that by paying for swimming lessons you can qualify for a federal Children's Fitness Tax Credit.

Have a wet, wild and wonderful -- but safe -- summer!

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