Swimming Pool Safety Tips for Winter
While there is always some risk associated with swimming pools in the fun and heat of the summer, when winter hits they can be especially dangerous. Slippery surfaces, freezing water and frozen pipework all add up to a particularly hazardous zone in and around your swimming pool. There are steps that can be taken, though, to increase safety and decrease the risk of accidents around a swimming pool in winter.
- Maintain secure fencing and a locked entrance around the pool and deck area to prevent access by people or pets (Having a fence is the single most-important precaution a pool owner can take for any season)
- After winterizing, cover pool with a properly secured mesh or solid safety cover for in-ground pool and with a debris cover and air pillows for above-ground pools
- Avoid walking around the pool as much as possible, as the deck surface will likely be very slippery
- If walking around the pool deck is unavoidable, be careful and remember where the winter debris cover anchors are as they can be a tripping hazard
- Never walk on the frozen surface of the pool, even if it has a safety cover
- Educate children that the pool is dangerous even with the cover on it and to stay away
- Ensure lifesaving equipment is always in the pool area, including life preservers and a rescue hook
- If swimming pool pipes have frozen, do not turn on the pool’s circulation system as this could cause further damage
- Pool covers may occasionally need to be drained of accumulated water and debris
A little knowledge and awareness around water can go a long way towards staying safe around them. By following these tips, you can make your pool area more secure and safe during the winter time.
