Owning a home with a pool can be a wonderful warm weather convenience, but since drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death it’s vital that you take steps to ensure your family’s safety. Building your new custom home is the perfect time to reevaluate your current safety measures and improve your family’s habits.
Who is at risk?
The risk factors contributing to drowning deaths vary greatly depending on age;
The best way to ensure the safety of everyone that uses your pool is to invest in education. Everyone in your family should take swimming lessons, and the adults should learn CPR and first aid. The speed at which someone receives first aid in a drowning incident can often determine the long term effects of said incident. It’s important to note that swimming lessons don’t “drown-proof” your children so you still need to provide proper supervision and other safety measures.
When planning and building your custom home, your builder can help establish safety measures for your pool area. There are a variety of options available including fences, and even pool covers that will completely cover your pool in a way that doesn’t allow anyone to fall in. Even with these safety measures, the most important thing you can do to protect your family is to closely monitor the pool while it is in use and ensure that all members of your family have proper education.
Whether you’re building a new custom home or planning to remodel and add a pool, it’s important to make sure you take the steps necessary to keep your family and friends safe. At Empire Custom Builders, we have the experience you need in order to make sure you home and outdoor living areas are stylish, functional, and safe. Contact us today to learn more.
The risk factors contributing to drowning deaths vary greatly depending on age;
- Age 1-4: This age group is at the highest risk for drowning, especially in swimming pools. A lack of swimming ability, the lack of barriers keeping small children from falling in, and a lack of adult supervision are the greatest factors for this age group. Fencing that completely encircles the pool as well as safety covers for the pool area itself can negate the risk of drowning when installed properly.
- Adolescents: Since the decision making portion of adolescent brains is not fully developed, these kids are much more likely to engage in risky behavior such as running, diving, and horse playing. It’s important to continue to monitor your kids, even when they’re older, in order to avoid this risky behavior.
- Adults: General carelessness and irresponsible behavior are typically what cause drowning deaths in adults. Alcohol consumption is a large contributing factor, as is the failure to wear a lifejacket when boating. Making good choices and being responsible are the best way to avoid unfortunate incidents with the adults around your pool.
The best way to ensure the safety of everyone that uses your pool is to invest in education. Everyone in your family should take swimming lessons, and the adults should learn CPR and first aid. The speed at which someone receives first aid in a drowning incident can often determine the long term effects of said incident. It’s important to note that swimming lessons don’t “drown-proof” your children so you still need to provide proper supervision and other safety measures.
When planning and building your custom home, your builder can help establish safety measures for your pool area. There are a variety of options available including fences, and even pool covers that will completely cover your pool in a way that doesn’t allow anyone to fall in. Even with these safety measures, the most important thing you can do to protect your family is to closely monitor the pool while it is in use and ensure that all members of your family have proper education.
Whether you’re building a new custom home or planning to remodel and add a pool, it’s important to make sure you take the steps necessary to keep your family and friends safe. At Empire Custom Builders, we have the experience you need in order to make sure you home and outdoor living areas are stylish, functional, and safe. Contact us today to learn more.
