Privately owned swimming pools are very popular in the United States, particularly in warmer states like Florida.
It is true that sharing a day in the water can be an enjoyable pastime for families.
Sadly, this popular activity also has a tragic downside.
Pools can be very dangerous, particularly if the people around them do not follow basic safety rules.
People under 18 are especially at risk for drowning accidents and other water-related injuries.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has stated that over 3,000 children require treatment in emergency rooms every year for such accidents.
After children under the age of five, teenagers are at the highest risk for such occurrences.
Statistically, this is especially true for males of this age.
If you plan on spending time in the water this year, it is very important to know and follow some basic safety protocol.
Make sure your children understand these rules as well.
It only takes a moment for a serious accident to occur.
Important Tips to Keep in Mind Some of the most important rules to bear in mind include: Never leave a pool unguarded.
If you invite children over to visit your home, make sure they are either indoors or closely supervised by an adult at all times.
Even if you do not intend to have young people over, it is very common for neighborhood kids to trespass on others' property, especially when there is a tempting attraction.
Keep your pool covered, locked, and fenced in when it is not in use.
Make sure at least one of the adults providing supervision knows how to perform CPR.
Ideally, everyone should know this potentially life-saving skill, of course.
If no one in your household has learned it yet, you may want to look into community college courses or other educational opportunities in your area.
If you have a diving board, make sure your guests use it correctly.
Diving should only be done off of a board, over a suitably deep part of the pool.
Do not allow jumping off the side of the board, from the side of the pool, or into an unsuitably shallow area.
Observe property behavior around the water.
This means no running, as it is easy to slip in puddles or on slick tiles.
If you decide to play games, make sure they are reasonably safe ones.
Accidental drownings are preventable.
However, to reduce the rate of these tragic incidences, people must be committed to adequate safety practices.