Summer has officially begun and with it comes the promise of some beautiful weather. When it’s hot and humid outside, there is nothing quite like dunking yourself in a pool to cool off. But it is important to remember a few important safety tips before diving in to a backyard or community pool. CSA Group, a leading certification and testing organization, advises everyone to take note of the following to help make sure that you and your family avoid water-related accidents.

POOL SAFETY

Sound the Alarm: A pool alarm sounds when it detects an object breaking the surface of the pool water. These should be used in combination with self-closing, self-latching gates for maximum safety.
Lock it Up: Barriers, like four-sided pool and pond fences, should be used to help prevent young children from gaining access to the pool or pond areas without a caregiver or designated supervisor knowing.
Cover the Basics: Ensure your pool, hot tub and whirlpool have anti-entrapment drain covers and a safety vacuum release system to automatically release suction and shut down the pump should entrapment occur. Covers should be certified by an accredited testing and certification organization.
Tie it back: Long hair and loose clothing are easy catches for powerful drains and pumps. Poorly-designed, non-functioning, defective or broken drain covers must be replaced. The vacuum force from pool, hot tub and whirlpool drains are powerful enough to hold swimmers under water causing drowning, or can lead to significant injuries.
Keep Off: Similar to long hair and loose clothing, body parts such as fingers and toes near or over drain covers are easy targets. The suction from drains can render even the most adept swimmers helpless. Submersion in water for even just a minute can cause serious harm to swimmers.
Keep Afloat: Not everyone can or knows how to swim. When someone cannot swim safely on their own, make sure that the appropriate life jacket, water wings and other safety flotation device is worn.
Soft Steps: Soft pool covers can increase the risk of drowning if a child steps onto the cover, slips underneath it and becomes trapped. Children can also drown in water that has collected on top of pool covers.
Hard Tops: If you use a pool or spa cover, follow all instructions for their safe installation, use and maintenance. Always remove a cover completely before using the pool, and do not let standing water remain on top; pump it off.
Drain Unused Water from in and Around Playspaces: The CSA Standard for Children’s Playspaces and Equipment outlines the need for equipment to drain effectively so that water is not trapped or collected – forming a pool. Standing water creates a drowning hazard and can become a breeding ground for bacteria creating an additional public health related concern. Any broken or damaged splash pad equipment requires immediate attention to avoid an injury or drowning risk.
Certification Check: Ensure that all electrical pool parts (lights, pumps, heaters, etc.) are properly certified by an organization like CSA Group. Hot tubs and whirlpools should also be certified.
For more everyday consumer tips and safety advice, please visit www.csasafetytips.com.

About CSA Group

CSA Group is an independent, not-for-profit member-based association dedicated to advancing safety, sustainability and social good. We are an internationally-accredited standards development and testing & certification organization. We also provide consumer product evaluation and education & training services. Our broad range of knowledge and expertise includes: industrial equipment, plumbing & construction, electro-medical & healthcare, appliances & gas, alternative energy, lighting and sustainability. The CSA mark appears on billions of products around the world.

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Contact

Anthony Toderian
Manager, Corporate Affairs
CSA Group
416-747-2620
[email protected]