Safe Waters, Happy Summers: A Guide to Pool Safety for BC Parents

A backyard pool promises endless summer fun and a refuge from the heat. Yet, with this refreshing oasis comes the weighty responsibility of ensuring our children’s safety. As we embrace the warmer months, let’s remind ourselves that water, as delightful as it is, harbors risks that can change lives in mere seconds.

“Every summer, families look forward to bringing out the pool toys and diving into the water, but lurking beneath the surface is a risk that remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in children under five in Canada,” cautions Allan Horwood, Founder of Pool Patrol. 

Despite our best efforts, drowning remains alarmingly common and is often silent and swift, occurring without the expected signs of distress. “Drowning doesn’t look like the thrashing and yelling portrayed in movies. It’s quiet, and by the time you notice it, it might be too late,” explains Horwood. 

Canadian health data show that nearly 57% of drownings occur in residential or public swimming pools, among which, 79.6% are infants and children aged 9 years or younger. These trends underscore the paramount importance of adopting comprehensive child safety practices for every residential pool.

Implementing effective safety measures requires education and action. Below, we outline essential strategies that every family should adopt to ensure their pool area is safe for everyone, especially young children.

Dive Right In 

The foundation of pool safety starts with education and familiarity with water. Horwood emphasizes the importance of introducing children to water environments at a very young age to help build comfort and awareness.

 “Parent and Tot programs that begin as early as four months can make a significant difference in a child’s comfort and ability in the water,” he explains. 

Horwood also stresses that while swimming lessons can significantly reduce the risk of drowning, they don’t eliminate the risk. Continuous education about water safety is crucial and should be a regular topic of conversation in households. It should be as routine as teaching a child to look both ways before crossing the road.

Lock It Down

Securing the pool area involves several layers of safety. Horwood recommends using pool covers that are strong enough to prevent accidental falls into the water.

“A true safety pool cover should be able to support at least the weight of a large adult without giving way,” he points out. “These covers provide the safest option as they are designed to bear a significant amount of weight and prevent falls into the water.”

Additionally, pool alarms and fencing around the pool can prevent unauthorized access and alert you if something falls into the water. 

He also cautions against relying on solar covers, as they can pose serious risks themselves. While they can be helpful in retaining heat in the pool and reducing debris, they can be mistaken for solid surfaces by children or pets. If they attempt to walk on the cover, they can quickly become entangled and unable to escape, leading to drowning.

To reduce these risks, Horwood advises that solar covers should be fully removed before anyone enters the pool area and should never be on when children or pets are playing outside. It’s also crucial to ensure that all members of the family, especially children, understand that the cover is not a surface to walk or play on.

Put the Phone Down 

One of the most effective strategies to prevent drowning is the implementation of a dedicated ‘water watcher’ – a designated adult to monitor kids as they swim and play. This person should always be within arm’s reach of non-swimmers and rotate every half hour to keep everyone attentive. 

The idea is that when multiple adults are present, everyone assumes someone else is watching the children. A designated water watcher ensures that there is always someone whose only task is to watch over the children in the water, ready to act immediately if needed.

“This role is critical and requires an adult to be free of all distractions—no phones, no books, just constantly watching the kids,” emphasizes Horwood. “Drowning doesn’t come with loud splashes or cries for help; it is eerily silent, and often happens in less time than it takes to post that selfie on Instagram.”

Toys Out, Safety In 

The presence of brightly colored toys or floaties can act as magnets for young children, tempting children to enter the pool area unsupervised.

Horwood advises, “Always remove all toys from the pool when they are not in use and store them securely away from the pool area to avoid this risk.”

Furthermore, he addresses a common misconception about flotation devices: “While floaties and other inflatables can add fun to swimming, they are not safety devices and should never replace proper supervision or the use of approved life jackets.” 

He warns that relying on these devices can provide a false sense of security. Floaties are prone to slipping off or deflating, and they will not prevent drowning if a child panics or becomes submerged unexpectedly.

Instead, Horwood recommends the use of Transport Canada or Canadian Coast Guard-approved life jackets or personal flotation devices for young children and non-swimmers. 

“Life jackets are designed to keep the wearer afloat and in a proper position in the water, which is crucial for safety,” he notes. These devices should fit snugly and be appropriate for the child’s weight and water activity to provide effective protection.

Ready, Set, Rescue

Preparation for potential emergencies is a critical component of pool safety. It is important to be prepared for the worst, even if it never happens.

“Knowing CPR and basic emergency response can be the difference between life and death,” Horwood states. 

Round up a group of parents and sign up for CPR classes together, or host a CPR ‘party’ to learn these skills at home. Community involvement can significantly amplify the effects of individual efforts. 

“Share your knowledge and strategies with neighbors and friends. Host community CPR lessons or swimming classes. It’s about creating a neighbourhood that collectively values and acts upon these safety measures,” he suggests.

It’s also crucial to be aware of the signs of secondary drowning, a rare but serious condition that can occur when a small amount of water gets into the lungs. “Even if a child doesn’t need CPR after being submerged, having water in their lungs can still lead to serious complications,” Horwood points out. Symptoms to watch for include coughing, lethargy, and rapid breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms after a child has been in water, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice, visit the ER, or call 911.

“Emergency equipment like life rings, poles, and CPR signs with clear instructions should also be easily accessible around the pool area,” he adds. Backyard pools are a staple of summer enjoyment, offering endless fun and relief from the heat. However, it is imperative to balance this enjoyment with education and simple, but lifesaving, safety measures.

“All it takes is a minute—a minute to make sure your safety cover is secure, a minute to put away your phone, a minute to double-check who is watching the kids. These moments can save lives,” concludes Horwood. 

With thoughtful preparation and proactive safety measures, we can ensure that our pools remain safe havens for our families and friends all summer.

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Allan Horwood is a water safety expert and the founder of Pool Patrol, Western Canada’s leading pool safety cover company. With a lifelong passion for family water safety, Allan launched Pool Patrol in 1995, focusing on providing innovative safety solutions for pool owners. Pool Patrol specializes in high-quality, automatic safety pool covers, as well as removable pool fences. Allan’s dedication extends beyond business; he’s also an avid yogi, golfer, and family man.