A guide to staying safe while enjoying the swimming pool in the summer.
There are few things more enjoyable than being able to simply lounge around the pool, enjoying the summer sun and the fun of the water. Sadly, thousands of people both young and old are injured or killed each year in pool-related incidents. However, by keeping in mind a few simple safety tips you're much more likely to keep you and yours out of harm's way and keep from becoming another statistic.
First of all, make sure that before anyone gets in the water that they actually know how to swim. This may seem like it goes without saying, and it probably should, but every once in a while you'll hear about a drowning or near-drowning that was caused by someone who couldn't swim playing around in the water and things getting out of hand. These cases are usually worse if the person is a child; after all, children might not pay attention to what they're doing as well as an adult, and are more likely to get in over their head -literally- without realizing it. Keep an eye on all children that are with you when swimming, and keep an especially close eye on any child that can't swim or isn't a very strong swimmer. You should also make sure that no one engages in horseplay around the pool, as a trip or fall can send someone who can't swim well into deep water... possibly injuring them in the process.
Secondly, try to make sure that you know the area where you're swimming. If you're using a swimming pool at your own home (or at the home of a neighbor or relative) then that's not too difficult, but if you're using a public pool or swimming in a pond, lake, or even in the ocean, then that can be quite difficult. Hidden dangers may lurk beneath the surface of the water (especially in larger bodies of water). Try to swim with a lifeguard on duty, and make sure that children are always within eyeshot of someone who is with you. You should also have children use the buddy system if possible.
Next, don't forget your sunscreen! Not only can a nasty sunburn ruin your day and keep you sore for up to a week, but they can also increase the risk of certain types of skin cancer. If the sunburn blisters, it can even lead to infections if the blisters burst and aren't properly taken care of. Use at least an SPF 15 sunscreen (30 or more provides more protection), and apply it every hour. Unless you're using a waterproof and sweatproof sunscreen, it also needs to be applied after getting out of the water or playing hard (and sweating harder.)
Finally, keep in mind that water and alcohol shouldn't mix. Even a few drinks can impair you to the point where you might make a mistake that you wouldn't normally make. When going swimming, the emphasis is on everyone having a good time safely... save the celebration until later when you're away from the water.
So remember, have fun when you're out at the pool... but be smart about it as well. No one wants to see a day of fun and frolic turn into tragedy.
