How to keep kids safe around a home pool?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t be comfortable with this until my child was around 7 years old. Also, I would never send a toddler AND a baby to someone’s house in another state— I would consider allowing the 2.5YO to go without the baby, but not with a pool.

[Anonymous]

I know a family whose toddler drowned in their pool. The mom was out running errands, and the dad was home along with several older siblings (think: tweens/teens). Nobody noticed the toddler had unlocked a door and gotten outside.

I wouldn’t trust anyone to watch my kids with a pool nearby.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm usually pretty easy going with kid safety because when I went to law school I learned about the Hand formula and now I calculate all risk with that. I let my 10yo play in the road of our cul-de-sac, I let my kids eat grapes and hot dogs (I do watch them though), I let my kids stay home by themselves for periods of up to two hours, my 7-year old bikes by himself to school, etc.

But here's the thing about pools: kids are quiet when they are drowning, it doesn't take long to drown, and drowning responsible for about ten deaths per day in the US. And it's not like all these kids are parented by people who didn't care about them or didn't intend to watch them. Not letting your grandparents watch them is a really easy way of drastically reducing the odds of losing your children.

What’s the hand formula?

[Anonymous]

Thanks to this thread we just put in a fence with gate around our koi pond. We have a 5 month old and were thinking about even draining the pond, but happy with this solution.

[Anonymous]

Maybe because I'm from Florida and live in Texas now where many if not most people have pools but admittedly I'm surprised at the responses. I wouldn't feel comfortable without additional safety measures in place, but these nets are an alternative to fences.. they are a bit pricey but a great option:

https://katchakid.com/pool-safety-fence-vs-pool-safety-net/

[Anonymous]

Deadbolts on doors
Pool cover
That fence
Alarm when anything hits water (they can turn it off when they’re using the pool)

I would also suggest going down and staying with them, explaining that you’re worried about the toddler’s curiosity. Set up nanny cams pointed at the doors and outside by the pool, monitor for a few hours. If you think they can handle it, go out and take the monitor for your peace of mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm usually pretty easy going with kid safety because when I went to law school I learned about the Hand formula and now I calculate all risk with that. I let my 10yo play in the road of our cul-de-sac, I let my kids eat grapes and hot dogs (I do watch them though), I let my kids stay home by themselves for periods of up to two hours, my 7-year old bikes by himself to school, etc.

But here's the thing about pools: kids are quiet when they are drowning, it doesn't take long to drown, and drowning responsible for about ten deaths per day in the US. And it's not like all these kids are parented by people who didn't care about them or didn't intend to watch them. Not letting your grandparents watch them is a really easy way of drastically reducing the odds of losing your children.

What’s the hand formula?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calculus_of_negligence

[Anonymous]

Pools are responsible for more toddler deaths than guns. Your toddler is literally safer with an unlocked gun in a house than a pool. Drowning is so fast and utterly silent. I know it sucks but I would not take a risk with grandparents.