Beat the heat by having fun in the sun. Whether it’s sitting poolside to catch some sun or splashing around in the water, there are few things more enjoyable than pool time on a hot summer day with friends and family. Invitation Homes is pool friendly, and we want you to be prepared to have fun and safely enjoy one of summer’s best pastimes.
Please follow these necessary pool safety tips to protect your friends and family and ensure everyone has a fun, safe and memorable summer.
Sun Safety
Overexposure to the sun can be uncomfortable and dangerous. To minimize the risk of sunburn and skin cancer, follow these key guidelines:
Use sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF and is both broad-spectrum and water-resistant.
Reapply sunscreen either every two hours or after swimming (whichever comes first).
Find shade if you’ve been in the sun for too long.
Wear protective clothing, especially if you haven’t applied sunscreen.
For more information about sun safety, please check out the AAD’s official website .
Be Aware of Water Depth
Knowing the depth of the pool is important for several reasons:
Don’t dive into shallow water. If you do choose to dive head first, make sure the water is at least eight feet deep.
If you or your children cannot swim and don’t have a life jacket, stay in shallow waters where you can touch the bottom of the pool.
If your children cannot swim, keep them away from the edge of the pool.
Know Where Your Kids Are
If you are a parent or guardian, make sure you know where your kids are at all times. If an incident does occur, whether it’s a fall on the side of the pool or a child unable to swim, knowing exactly where your child is at all times will allow you to respond quickly.
A great way to ensure your kids are being responsibly watched is to take up the Water Watcher system. Taking these steps are especially important if there are children who do not know how to swim. If a child is unable to swim, do not leave them alone in the water, even if they have a lifejacket.
If You Can’t Swim, Wear a Lifejacket
Lifejackets are for people of all ages. If you, a friend or family member cannot swim, make sure a lifejacket is available. Not only can a lifejacket prevent most drowning-related incidents, but it’s also a great tool for learning how to swim.
Walk, Don’t Run
We know it’s a poolside cliché, but lifeguards say it for a reason. The pool deck is often wet and is easy to slip on, so walking makes you less likely to fall. If you fall while running, you may fall hard on the deck or into the water. Pool deck safety (i.e., walking) may prevent serious head injury, unconsciousness and possible drowning.
Make Sure Someone Knows CPR
Learning how to perform CPR is a great life skill and is important to know at the pool. But if you do not know CPR, make sure there is a lifeguard or other guardian present who knows CPR.
Lock Your Pool Access
Always lock the access to your pool while it is not in use. If unlocked, a pool can become a hazard for your kids and other children in the neighborhood. Keeping your backyard and pool gate(s) locked can protect your kids and other neighborhood kids from wandering into the pool area without adult supervision.
And if your pool is offered as an HOA amenity, make sure your kids know when and with whom (adult supervision) they are able to go.
Share Safety Instructions
Make sure your whole family knows these basic safety instructions. Adults should know which children they are responsible for and how to best care for them. Children should know the “dos and don’ts” of pool safety and how best to react to any trouble.
For more information that your whole family can easily access, check out Pool Safely for an official safety toolkit. It’s an official national public safety program with content for both you and your kids.
Once everyone understands these simple safety steps, it’s time to go enjoy the sun by splashing around in the pool. Have fun and remember that a safe time allows for a fun time!
Search Invitation Homes for properties near you that feature stunning pools and other summertime amenities. If you’re looking for a list of pool games and activities that are fun for the whole family, check out our blog. Plus, if you’re already an Invitation Homes resident, check out our Pool Information page for more details about our pools and specific safety guidelines.