Throughout the year, people in all parts of the country hear about a recurring tragedy that could have been avoided: the drowning of a young child in a swimming pool. In warmer parts of the country, where swimming pools are almost a necessity, it seems to be a daily occurrence to hear on the news that another child has drowned in a pool.

Drowning usually occurs quickly and is rarely heard by anyone. Drowning can happen in seconds and usually take place when the child is left unsupervised or during a brief lapse in supervision. In roughly two minutes the child will lose consciousness, and after four to six minutes irreversible brain damage occurs. Nearly all who require cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) either die or are left with a severe brain injury.

In many cases, the drowning occurs in the pool of a neighbor who does not even have children. They are usually under the false impression that, because they do not have children, they do not need to keep their pool "child proof". However, as a pool owner, it is your moral, and in some states legal, obligation to take the necessary precautions to insure that children who do not know any better are kept safe from drowning in your swimming pool.

Commonly Used Safety Precautions are not Always Effective

Many homeowners believe that simply putting a lock on their backyard gate and a fence around their pool is enough of a safety precaution. This is not true. While they do help prevent 50% or more of drowning-related deaths or accidents, a faulty lock or a child who knows to climb a fence can easily make that precaution essentially useless.

Additionally, some owners have begun using safety nets or safety pool covers. While these do provide yet another barrier of protection against a child drowning, there are several drawbacks to using them. For instance, if the pool owner forgets to put the cover in place, or decides "I can leave it off this one time", the pool is left exposed. To many children, nets and covers will look inviting to walk on. If they are not attached properly or break, they can weigh the child down, making rescue difficult and, in some cases, cause a child who otherwise knows how to swim to drown.

Swimming Pool Alarms Offer an Additional Level of Safety

Homeowners who truly wish to make their swimming pools safe should install a pool safety alarm. Pool alarms offer a final level of protection against accidental drowning by giving you and your neighbors audible notification if a child falls into the pool, insuring that the child can be rescued before brain damage or death occur.

The Aquaguard Pool Alarm System offers a high level of protection and notification for the user while remaining aesthetically pleasing to your pool's décor. Designed with a numbered keypad to prevent unauthorized disarming, the Aquaguard Pool Alarm notifies you when a child falls into your pool through its dual integrated sirens and remote unit with alarm sound that is louder than that of a car alarm. This is the only pool alarm with a siren built into the remote. The Aquaguard Pool Alarm and remote unit have integrated LED indicators that let you know when the alarm is armed and alert you when batteries are low. Easy to use and affordable, this pool alarm is the best choice for virtually any pool or spa.

Safety Precautions are Important All Year

Regardless of where you live or the shape and size of your pool, it is your responsibility as a pool owner to take all necessary precautions to avoid accidental drowning year round. Children can fall in a pool any time of year. By simply investing the time and money that is needed for the necessary safety precautions, you can avoid tragedies and insure that you and your neighbors enjoy peace of mind.