Many Bangkokians find building swimming pools in their own backyards a worthwhile expenditure. Afternoon frolics with the kids, impromptu poolside picnics, elaborate poolside parties... everything sounds fantastic!

Many Bangkokians find building swimming pools in their own backyards a worthwhile expenditure. Afternoon frolics with the kids, impromptu poolside picnics, elaborate poolside parties... everything sounds fantastic! But when the dream becomes a reality--through having your own pool or settling for one owned by the community--it is not all rainbows and butterflies. There will be times when you will hear stories about kids, even adults, being carried off by an ambulance in a body bag. You shudder just at the very thought about it. You don’t have to fret, though. By following the next few guidelines on pool safety, you can keep those nightmares from happening to you and your loved ones.

• Update your skills and replenish your kit.

Enrolling in lifesaving lessons will prove to be a godsend when you find yourself needing to use them to rescue someone from drowning. Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) skills are geared to equip the layman with the ability to sustain life until professional help or emergency vehicle arrives. These classes may be taken at a community center. To complete the lifesaving component, one should also have lifesaving equipment and a fully replenished first aid kit nearby. Donuts and flotation devices should be kept near the water for easy access in case someone drowns. First aid kits come in handy, even if drowning is not the case, as some minor accidents may require basic wound dressing. Having the equipment and kit ready might make the world’s difference in someone’s life.

• Supervision is a must.

Children and non-swimmers need constant supervision when around the pool. They can wear life preservers, but remember that these devices are not substitutes for a watchful eye. Drowning can occur silently in a matter of a few seconds, so it is best to keep an eye on the swimmers all the time. When a child is missing, the pool should always be checked first. Children and non-swimmers are not the only ones who need supervision. Adults also need to have a buddy just to keep watch of their things. Never swim alone because even the strongest swimmer can suffer from a sudden attack of leg cramps and fail to keep his head above the water. Better be safe than sorry.

•  Mind the pool’s fencing and safety barriers.

All pools, including inflatable ones, should have fences built around them, with a self-closing and self-latching gate. Ensure that other accesses to the pool, like patio doors, are locked. When they are no longer in use, remove or lock steps and ladders leading to above-ground pools. Never use solar pool covers to prevent children from falling into pools. The kids might get entangled in them and drown.

•  Put away toys and other accessories when not in use.

Pool accessories, especially water toys, should not be left in the pool when they are no longer in use. Their bright colors and “special powers” might be too alluring for kids who in turn might fall in when they try to reach out for them. Pool chemicals should be kept in child-proof containers, out of reach and sight of children. Accessories that use electricity, like stereos, should be placed on a high and dry table or shelf and should never be touched with wet hands. Never allow children to play in and around ladders, filters and drains. These may cause entrapment and entanglement resulting in a person becoming trapped under water.

• Follow basic pool maintenance procedures.

Contact your local municipality to make sure that you meet all relevant procedures before installing and filling a pool. Read all the instructions carefully before installing, filling, and using the pool. Don’t neglect to carry out regular pool maintenance and have a qualified pool professional inspect the drain cover on your pool. Never allow anyone to use the pool if the drain cover is missing or damaged. Poolside safety might mean the difference between life and death for any Bangkok homeowner, regardless of whether he is an expat or a local.

Equip yourself with all there is to know about safety around swimming pools, and you will find your pool to be just as you wanted it to be – a dream come true.