If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve thought about adding a pool to your backyard. After all, what’s more fun than taking a dip to cool off? But if you have young children, you need to pay special attention to your pool’s design. Here are some important considerations for building a child-friendly pool:
Pool Placing
When building a pool, you need to consider where your pool will be situated in relation to your house. The closer it is to the house, the better; that way, you can keep an eye on the kids while swimming. You can also place it next to your patio, so you have a comfortable spot to relax while the children play.
Pool Depth
If you’re planning on having a multi-tiered pool, ensure the shallowest end is 3 ft., and the deepest end is 5 ft. This will make your pool enjoyable for both children and adults alike. But if you only have room for a single-depth pool, ensure it’s shallow enough for little ones to safely enjoy. But with a shallow depth, everyone must know not to dive or jump in, so they can avoid injuries.
Non-Slip Surfaces
Poolside safety is vital for the whole family. That’s why you should invest in making sure your pool deck isn’t slippery so you can help prevent accidents. This might mean using materials such as textured concrete or purchasing non-slip mats or pads. You should also ensure that toys or other pool accessories are stored when nobody uses them, so they don’t become trip hazards.
Pool Features
When constructing a pool for your family, one of the most important is how safe and fun the pool will be for your children. Here are some ideas you can try:
- Steps and Ladders: Make sure there are enough steps or ladders in your pool where your children can easily get in and out on their own. You don’t want them struggling to get out of the pool and risking getting hurt.
- Fencing: Fences are a great way to keep children safe around pools. They should be at least four feet tall and have a self-closing, self-latching gate. If your kids can reach the latch, make sure it’s always locked.
- Cover: Pool covers are another way to keep children safe. They should be made of durable material that can support a child’s weight even if they were to jump on it. Aside from preventing your child from falling into the water, it also helps keep your pool clean when not in use.
- Slide: A pool slide can be a great addition to any pool. It’s important to make sure that the slide is the appropriate size and height for your child and that it has a smooth, gradual curve to prevent injuries.
- Diving Board: If you have a diving board, make sure it is the right size and height for your child. It’s also important that there is an adult nearby in the water when your child is diving.
Depending on your pool size, you can also add other features like waterfalls or a small island in the middle. These features will not only make your pool more fun for your children but will also make it more visually appealing.
Set Pool Rules
Once you have a pool in your backyard, it’s important to set some rules for your children to follow and ensure they understand them. This might include no diving in the shallow end, no running around the pool, and no horseplay. You can establish safety rules by practicing them as well. If your children see that adults don’t do that, they will understand that it’s not safe. Likewise, let your children know that if they want to swim, they should always have adult supervision when they’re near the water and never swim alone. This is important, especially if your kids don’t know how to swim. So, you should also add a rule where your kids aren’t allowed to swim without floaters. This will make sure they can have fun in the water and be safe at the same time. You can get colorful kids floaties for them in a design they like, so you can be sure they’ll happily wear them when they’re in the pool. Doing so will give you peace of mind when you swim, especially if you have to keep an eye on many kids in your pool.
Building a pool can be a great way to add value to your home and provide hours of fun for your family. But if you have young children, make sure you find a compromise for them and the adults when designing your pool. Doing so will allow everyone to safely enjoy the pool, even as your children grow older. What matters most is that your family can safely enjoy time together in the water.
