Swimming is fun, but it’s also a huge risk factor when you study injuries and deaths in toddlers and young children. Just consider the following statistics:
- The CDC reports that drowning is the number one cause of unintentional death in children between the ages of 1 and 4. Roughly 390 children die per year as a result of drowning in a swimming pool or spa.
- More than three-quarters of all drowning deaths in the US each year involve children under the age of 5.
- 75 percent of drowning deaths with children 15-years-old and younger occurred in swimming pools located on private residences.
When viewing numbers like these, it’s easy to see why so many families are worried about allowing their children near pools – even when supervised. But you don’t have to live in a state of fear.
4 Ways Technology is Making Swimming Safer
Swimming has always been a favorite activity for children. There’s just something about splashing around in a cool pool on a hot day that promotes happiness and relaxation. But if you were to poll most parents of young children, they would tell you that swimming is more stressful than fun. This is especially true for families that have swimming pools on their properties.
While there will always be risks associated with swimming, parents can rest easy knowing that new technologies are finally making it safer for everyone. Let’s check out a few of key developments in this area:
1. Easier Water Quality testing
Testing and treating water is vital for keeping a safe and healthy pool, but it’s also a pain in the rear. Fortunately, new technologies are altering this reputation for the better.
Mobile apps like Insta-Link and Nimbus Pool Doctor are making it easy to manage swimming pools without painstaking strips, paper logs, and complicated calculations.
2. Superior Cleaning Systems
In addition to improvements in water quality testing, there have also been some significant advances in the cleaning mechanisms pool owners use to keep their pools clean and safe.
“A traditional pool is run using what is known as an eye-ball and skimmer system,” Compass Pools notes. “Essentially, a skimmer box removes surface water using a pump. That water is then pushed through a filter and then returned to the pool through jets on the wall opposite the skimmer. These jets or ‘eyeballs’ are typically located in the top 1-2ft of water.”
As you can probably guess, this traditional pool cleaning system does little to actually purify the water at the bottom of the pool. New self-cleaning technology is changing the game, ensuring water is cleaned at all depth levels – not just the top 24 inches.
3. Swim Monitoring Systems
Most swimming pool deaths are the result of accidental drowning – often when a parent doesn’t know a child is in unattended around a pool. Advanced swim monitoring systems are making it possible for parents to be notified anytime someone or something enters the pool. You can see some of the top products here.
4. Advanced Covers and Fences
Swim monitors and alarms are great, but it’s best to keep unattended children out of the pool area altogether. New advances in swimming pool fences and covers are helping parents safeguard their children and reduce legal risks associated with other children and pets unknowingly entering the property.
Making Swimming Fun for Everyone
No solution or gadget will remove all risks associated with swimming pool accidents, but it’s nice to know that there are options on the market that make it easier to promote safety and keep your family out of harm’s way. Research your options and discover what you’ve been missing.
