Anyone who supervises kids in a backyard swimming pool must ensure that there are pool rules posted in an area that makes them very visible. Even kids who have taken swim lessons still need to follow all pool rules, as these rules can mean the difference between life and death. Those in charge of kids’ swimming pool safety should also keep important emergency numbers easily accessible, as well as learn how to perform CPR.

Swimming Pool Drownings

Many people don’t realize that kids who know how to swim can still drown. Swimming pool drownings can happen quickly, with many pool drownings taking place in less than 2 minutes. These pool drowning often occur when a kid falls into a backyard swimming pool, or when kids are not properly being supervised when in or around a pool area. When it comes to following pool rules, those in charge of a pool area must go over these rules before allowing any kids in for a day of swimming fun.

According to the Centers for Disease and Control, drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death for kids between the ages of 1 and 4.

Pool Rules for Kids

There are certain rules in place that support the swimming pool safety for kids. Special pool rules for kids are important because of their age, as most kids tend to only think about all of the fun they’re going to have vs. thinking about following any in place pool rules. So how to help kids understand the importance of following pool rules? Let them know that cool kids take the time to understand the rules, as these rules allow them to be safe while swimming in any backyard pool. 

Pool Rules:

• Never Go Swimming Alone. There should always be an adult supervising kids when swimming in a backyard pool. Always. 
• No Eating or Chewing Gum in the Pool Area. Kids can choke when eating in a pool area, making it a good idea for kids to eat outside of a pool area.
• Never Push Someone into a Pool. Pushing someone into a pool can easily cause them to injure themselves, including hitting their head.
• No Running. Pool areas are slippery, making it easy for kids to slip and fall down. Pool injuries from running in a pool area are common, and injuries can range from scrapes and bruises to broken bones and concussions.
• New Swimmers Need to Stay in the Shallow End. Until a kid learns the basics of swimming, they should not be allowed in the deep end of a pool. Instead, they need to make sure their feet can always touch the bottom of the pool.
• Don’t Jump on Top of Someone when Jumping into a Pool. Jumping on top of someone when they’re in a pool can injure them, or the pool jumper.

Adding more layers of pool protection, like safety barriers, decreases the chances of kids being injured, or even drowning in a backyard swimming pool.

Swimming Pool Safety Equipment

The following swimming pool safety recommendations take into consideration the best ways to prevent  the possibility of any kids drowning in a swimming pool. These safety equipment options are the minimum steps pool owners can take to make their swimming pool area a safe place for kids of all ages. The fact that pool barriers are not 100% childproof, makes it a great idea to for those in charge of a pool area to choose at least two different barriers.

The list below includes 3 of the more popular types of pool safety equipment barriers, of which at least one should be used to protect kids from backyard swimming pool accidents.

• Pool Fences: Isolation fences are the best pool fence choice as this type of fence completely surrounds a pool area. They are designed in a way that prevents kids from getting under, over or through the fence, as kids can be quite resourceful. 
• Pool Gate Alarms: Gate alarms for pool gates sound a loud alarm when the gate is opened when no one is supposed to be in the pool area. This allows those in charge to know that something could be wrong, and to go check the pool area to ensure no kids have entered a pool area when they’re not supposed to.
• Door Alarms: Door alarms are a necessary barrier for houses that have doors that lead to an outside pool area. When the door is opened, just like a gate alarm, it sounds an audible alarm to alert parents the door has been opened. 

In Summary

Do you have pool rules for kids posted in your backyard pool area? Anyone who supervises kids swimming in a backyard pool must post rules that are easy to understand, and where they can easily be seen. Pre-made pool rule signs are available or they can be custom-made, of which both options are affordable. While handmade signs can also be made, they need to be made waterproof so they can last for many years.