Considerations

• Before you go out and buy safety equipment for your pool, first stop and consider your needs and that of your family. You will need basic equipment, but if you have young children or someone in your family with special needs there are additional items that may be required. You will also want to consider the abilities of each person in your family to swim and what kind of pool you have.
  
  

First Aid Kit

• In case of injuries or accidents, having a first aid kit nearby is important. Items such as scissors, tweezers, latex gloves, bandage tape, a variety of band-aids and gauze bandages, and instant ice packs should be included. The kit should also have a list of current emergency phone numbers. It should be placed where it can be clearly seen and easily found.
  
  

Safety Equipment

• Life vests are an important safety item for home pools.Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of mx5tx) (MC Glasgow
  
  The Home Safety Council recommends that you have a safety pole, life vest, pool alarm and a ring buoy nearby for emergencies. The safety pole should have a length of 10 to 12 feet, and the life vest should be U.S. Coast Guard approved. The pool alarm warns you if someone falls into the pool, which is a great asset if you have small children.
  
  

Prevention/Solution

• Prevention is one the best ways to stop accidents in the pool from occurring. For maximum protection, it is a good idea to have a fence surrounding the pool with a gate that cannot be opened by young children. This protects them from entering without your permission and possibly falling in. A good pool cover is also an asset to preventing youngsters from getting in without supervision.
  
  

Considerations

• Pool safety equipment is a must have for any family, and giving consideration to your family's needs will help you get the right items. Maintaining and updating equipment is also important, which helps you to have dependable equipment when you need it.