Even if a pool in the garden is supposed to bring fun and joy, it can become a deadly trap for the little ones.
If supervisors are out of reach, it should be ensured that there are no dangerous situations.
This article explores the question of how best to make a pool childproof.
Danger signs in children – caution
If a child in the pool comes into a situation in which he threatens to drown, the adults standing around usually do not notice it.
Because a toddler does not fidget, does not emit calls for help, and does not indicate in any other way that he is currently in mortal danger.
Children drown silently and quietly. Therefore, best wearable blanket supervisors must keep a close eye on the children. The glottis closes in small children as soon as they fall headlong into the water.
Due to this shock reaction, young children can already drown in a puddle of rain.
On land, unfortunately, the danger has not yet been averted. Even if the child came out of the water in time, he may still be in danger due to the “secondary drowning”.
This phenomenon describes the fact that the lungs can still react to the inhaled water days later. If the child coughs, complains of breathing difficulties, or feels generally unwell, a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Parents should definitely take a first aid course in order to bridge the time until the arrival of the emergency doctor as well as possible.
Tip # 1: It’s all about the design – mobile entry ladders
It is a “no brainer” that the pool should be built according to the applicable safety standards. But even if the edge of the pool and Co. are designed in such a way that the regulations are met, children can still get into the water.
Therefore, the entry possibilities into the pool also play a major role. These all too often tempt the children to get into the pool. It would be best if entry ladders and Co. are at least to a large extent removable.
Ergo, if the pool is not used, there are no possibilities at the pool that would tempt a child to climb in.
Tip #2: A Pool Alarm Can Save Lives
This device is not accident prevention but may be a last-minute lifesaver. A pool alarm makes it clear through an unmistakable signal that an infant or other vulnerable person has fallen into the pool. This enables the supervisors to react quickly.
Some of these devices are integrated into the pool and respond to movements on the water surface. This can often lead to false alarms due to precipitation or the like. Another version of the pool alarm can be attached to the child’s wrist in the form of a bracelet.
If there is now contact with the water, then the unmistakable alarm signal is emitted. The counterpart for pets is attached to the beloved four-legged friend in the form of a collar.
Tip #3: A pool cover is needed
By means of a pool cover, the pool can be deprived of its visual appeal. This is one of the main reasons why young children get into the water.
However, the pool is still there and the danger under the cover still exists. Therefore, caution is still required. A pool cover should be able to drain rainwater and store the heat inside. This is only as information in passing.
A tarpaulin is also made of very robust material and is stably fastened in the vicinity of the pool with tension straps, hooks, etc.
Good safety tarpaulins are made of PVC or similar materials. The utensils for fastening are intended for soil and stone, but not for the domestic lawn. On this one, the whole thing will not hold.
Tip #4: Alternative Sliding Cover
A better alternative to a pool cover would be a sliding cover. This swimming pool canopy is located firmly above the pool and usually allows small children who step on it to sink only a few centimeters deep.
A suitable device for closing the whole thing ensures that unauthorized persons cannot open the sliding cover.
In terms of price, the swimming pool canopies are several thousand euros. The constructs are definitely worth your money. A small side effect of the whole thing is that the water is reliably protected from dirt and it heats up a bit under the device.
The heat stored in this way allows the pool owners to extend the season in the domestic pool a little longer.
Tip #5: Wall, fence, etc.
Children cannot climb over a fence, wall or the like on their own. This circumstance can also be taken advantage of when it comes to protecting children by the pool.
It is very time-consuming to implement such a construction device in reality. The look of the pool area will also be permanently changed as a result.
However, the benefits outweigh as there is no more reliable way to prevent children from entering the pool. They cannot overcome the barrier on their own. The fence will usually be made of metal or wood.
Tip #6: Educate pool visitors
As a final tip for a child-safe pool, pool visitors should be familiarized with a few basic rules. This could be, for example, that alone is not going into the pool.
In households with children, adults should lead by example if possible. Furthermore, no toys are left in or around the pool. If children see such a toy, it usually acts like a magnet on them.
In addition, the children should not run directly at the pool. Even if this will be difficult for the little ones, it is very important. The chance of them falling into the water is much greater if they run around near the pool. Slipping is also prevented in this way.
Result
A pool can be made very childproof with a few tips. In this context, neither cost nor effort should be spared, after all, human lives are at stake here.
Already with the construction of the pool, the first measures can be initiated to make the pool safer.
The best alternatives are probably the pool fence, baby swings frame as this reliably prevents direct contact between child and pool in unattended situations, and of course the pool alarm.
In the worst-case scenario, caregivers can react quickly due to the unmistakable signal and take the necessary first aid measures to save the child.
Psst: In order for your child to be as safe as possible in the water when they are away for a short time or a stranger supervises their child, he should wear a children’s life jacket (not to be confused with a life jacket).
