As summer sets in, and temperatures rise, many families start to spend more time around the pool. The warm, inviting waters of your backyard pool provide a great place for weekend parties, and a quiet retreat. However, the calm, welcoming waters harbor a silent, preventable threat.
In the U.S., accidental drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, with Florida the leading state for this grim statistic. It’s not just kids—your pets are also at risk, especially dogs, with an estimated 5,000 pet dogs drowning in backyard pools each year.
A properly maintained fence is a must. In Broward County, a five-foot fence is required around all residential pools. The fence must be self-closing and self-latched. With many children or pets wandering to a neighbor’s property, these fence features help to ensure that both pets and children don’t accidentally get close to a pool unsupervised.
To further reduce risks, it is advisable to properly train both your child and your dog to swim. Proper training cuts drowning risk for young children by 88%. Dogs can also benefit from formal training. By familiarizing your dog with the pool, and learning how to find pool steps, it will reduce panic when your pet accidentally falls into a pool.
Some dog owners may think that their dog can swim fine. But when a dog accidentally falls into a pool, they are surprised, and can experience rapid fatigue and panic. The panic will accelerate their energy loss, and they lose their orientation, preventing many dogs from locating steps or ramps. There are many pools designed with smooth pool surfaces, like tiles and liners that some dogs lose traction on, adding to the risk of drowning. These risks are especially high for smaller dogs, brachycephalic breeds (pugs, bulldogs, and terriers), along with senior dogs.
Beyond training and fences, it is also advisable to keep adult supervision when your family and dog are around the pool. A designated “water watcher”—someone who monitors the water—is recommended during social events, and ideally someone trained in CPR.
The reason for a designated watcher is that drowning accidents, contrary to popular belief, are often silent. With the onset of exhaustion, pets and children often experience panic, and movement will be minimal. This develops quickly, often within a few minutes; thus, the watcher should ideally not be on a phone or some other distraction.
Since it’s hard not to get distracted in the modern era, it’s also recommended you make sure that young children wear proper flotation devices near water. The same is true for your pets. This will help ensure they get extra support if they do accidentally fall into a pool.
By making sure that your pool fence meets the local ordinance, proper training of all your family members, and extra awareness, it will ensure that everyone has a safe and fun time around your refreshing backyard pool.