Staying Safe In and Out of the Water at a Swimming Pool Party

When you are first thinking of swimming pool party ideas, it is all too easy to forget about basic water safety. Everyone should enjoy the opportunity to relax and play in the water, but a host must be vigilant, especially if children are invited to the party. Here is a list of the most important tips.

Before the Party

• List all of your rules ahead of time in your invitation.
• Ask guests in the invitation not to bring any glass to the party. Guests should drink only from plastic cups.
• Consider having a professional look at your pool to verify that it meets the current safety standards.
• If you have a deep end, rope it off.
• Clear the area around the pool of toys or anything guests can trip over.
• Have a cordless telephone or cell phone in the pool area.
• Ask the adults at the pool party take turns watching the pool if children are present. Or, hire a lifeguard for your party.
• Have life vests on hand for guests who do not swim well. Floats and inflatables are not a substitute.
• Make sure that the pool rules are understood before the children get into the water by gathering them together and explaining the rules before they swim.

In the Pool

• No diving.
• No horseplay.
• No children in the deep end.
• Anyone who cannot swim must be in a life jacket.
• An adult, whether it be a guest or a lifeguard, must be watching the pool at all times.
• Never assume that just because a child or adult has had swimming lessons that they will be fine. Fatigue and muscle cramps can disable the best of swimmers.

Poolside

• Keep all glass away from the pool area.
• No alcohol.
• No running around the pool, as wet concrete is slippery.

Pool party safety takes planning and forethought, but proper party planning can help prevent tragic accidents. Take the time to properly prepare your pool, pool area and guests to have a safe and fun experience.