Summer means swimming, and above ground pools are a great way for kids to cool off on hot days. 

But there are some dangers you need to know about so that you can help your children stay safe while they’re playing in the water this summer.  

Some of these dangers include drowning, being injured by broken glass or metal fittings at the pool, getting sunburned, or contracting a waterborne illness like Legionnaires’ Disease which can be deadly if not treated. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to avoid all these risks: make sure your pool is always clean and free from debris; supervise children closely when they’re near the water; teach them how to swim as soon as possible; don’t allow anyone with open wounds around the pool, and never swim alone.

So to answer the most pertinent question, what are the best ways to keep my children safe in an above ground pool? It goes without saying that the absolute best way of keeping your kids safe in an above ground pool is by watching them every time that they go for a swim. If that is not always possible, then ensure your kids can swim on their own and that you include floating devices in the pool. Lastly, if you have very small kids, always ensure that your pool is covered with a above ground pool cover. 

This article might be sensitive in nature so please take note of that. Unfortunately, the number one safety concern were kids and above ground pools collide is drowning. 

Drowning is a reality even in Above Ground Pools

I get it. This is not a topic anyone wants to discuss. And my heart goes out to anyone to who this has happened to.

But, drownings occur everywhere in the world. Where there is water and you kids (even those that can swim) there is a drowning risk

Drowning is when you can’t breathe because there is water in your airways. It’s a terrible thing and it has happened to people who are swimming in an above ground pool.

Some pools have deep ends and shallow ends. If you are a kid, it is hard to know which side of the pool is safe to swim in.

This is less of a problem with above ground pools, since the water depth is consistent.

That said add floating devices in your pool for incase a kid get in trouble and always try and ensure that there is adult supervision with your pool.

Prevention is better than cure…especially for an above ground pool

Prevent drowning in your above ground pool by putting a fence around it. If you don’t have a fence, children can drown or get hurt.

Prevent slipping by using an old rug or towel to cover the ladder. This will keep people from slipping too.

Focus on one other thing: always supervise children around the pool. Never leave them alone in the pool, not even for a minute! – I know we are repeating this over and over…

Teach your kids to swim in an above ground pool

Swimming is fun and it’s a good way to have fun with your friends. If you want to swim, you should learn how. But if you aren’t a good swimmer, or don’t even know how to swim, an above ground pool can be a good way to play in the water and have fun. 

One of the most important safety tips for your children, when they’re swimming at an above ground pool, is that they should learn how to swim before playing in the water.

One thing that could help them learn how to swim is a flotation vest so that they feel safer in deep water. In fact, as many as 70% of drowning deaths happen because swimmers are accidentally pulled too far from shore by currents or undertow. If your child feels safe with a life vest on, they might not panic if something unexpected happens. They can move toward the side of the pool or call for help.

For a great floatation device at a steal of the normal price (at the time of writing this article) simply click here to get it on Amazon.

There are more safety issues for above ground pools

There are many other safety issues that also need to be addressed while your children are swimming in an above ground pool. The water in the pool, if it isn’t maintained properly, can become a breeding ground for bacteria. If you have any family members or friends who are elderly or have a chronic illness, they should stay away from the water as they are more susceptible to contracting Legionnaires’ disease from bacterial exposure. 

To avoid any problems with the water, try to keep your pool clean by using algaecide and shock. Check out this article about the top tips for pool maintenance. 

You should also check for cracks, holes or other damage in the lining so that you can repair them before they worsen. One thing that all above ground pools need at least twice a year is a good cleaning from an automatic pool cleaner like the Polaris 360 Sport Pool Cleaner that has SmartNav Technology . This will remove debris and algae, keeping it free of harmful bacteria.

 If there are any cracks or holes in the pool’s structure, this should be repaired professionally as soon as possible to keep everyone safe. Above ground pools contain many issues beyond kids drowning , but if these things are addressed promptly, it will help ensure the safety of your children.

Conclusion

Summertime means the kids are out of school, and you’re probably looking for ways to keep them entertained. There is no shortage of fun activities that will help them stay cool in this hot weather! One thing not on most people’s list? Swimming at an aboveground pool. That doesn’t mean it should be off your radar though. With a few safety precautions, you can have all the family members splashing around without fear of drowning or other accidents because there are many dangers associated with swimming at an above ground pool .