Pool Safety Tips From The Canton Fire Chief

CANTON, MA — With the start of summer approaching, Fire Chief Charles E. Doody announced some safety tips residents should follow if they have a pool or are looking into getting one. Doody also reminded residents there are several state regulations residents need to follow when installing a pool for their own safety.

"Summertime in and around the pool can be a fun time of year for everyone, as long as the proper safety precautions and laws are followed," Doody said in a statement, "Please always monitor any and all children who are outside around the pool."

The American Red Cross reports that more than 200 children drown in swimming pools each year. Additionally, drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so the Canton Fire Department said it considers pool safety to be a top priority.

Factors to consider when installing a pool include zoning requirements, electrical clearances, utility easements and contacting your insurance agency as pools require additional liability coverage. Canton fire said to use the following guidelines and regulations when before building a pool and after, to enjoy it safely:

• Per Massachusetts regulation, pools should be surrounded by a 4-foot-high barrier that encloses the pool and has an access gate that self-closes, locks and opens outward from the swimming area (even if you don’t have children).
• Fasten a safety cover over the pool when it is not in use, and remove ladders to further prevent access into the pool. Pool alarms are required whenever a house door leads directly to a pool deck.
• Never leave children unattended while they are in or near a pool, and make sure they have an adult to accompany them into the water. Young or inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or inflatable arm flotation devices.
• Make sure children stay away from pool drains, pipes or any other openings to avoid getting trapped or hurt.
• Set safety instructions and share them with family, friends, neighbors and anyone else who is near or uses the pool. Advise children to stay away from pool deep ends, and to always walk, never run near the pool.
• Never use the pool if the chemical levels are not correct, or if the water is cloudy and you can’t see the bottom.
• Take a CPR course for adults and children to be prepared if an emergency situation occurs. Update skills regularly.
• Watch the local weather reports and do not swim if thunderstorms are in the forecast.
• Those who are 21 and older should drink responsibly if they choose to consume alcoholic beverages when by the pool. Overindulging increases the risk for injuries or accidental drowning.
• Avoid using glass containers by the pool. They could break and leave glass around the pool or in the water.

For a complete listing of Massachusetts building code regulations regarding swimming pools, click here.