Pool Safety When Kids Are Around: Your Non-Negotiable Checklist
Look, we're gonna talk about something that might make you uncomfortable for a minute, but it's important. Because here in the Panhandle, pools are part of life—they're where we cool off after a beach day, where kids learn to swim, where families make memories. But they're also the leading cause of accidental death for children under five.
So if you've got a pool and you've got kids anywhere near it—whether they're yours, your guests', or your short-term renters'—you need to get serious about safety. Not eventually. Now.
The Basics That Aren't Optional
Barriers save lives. Your pool needs to be completely fenced with a barrier that's at least four feet high. And we're not talking about those little decorative garden fences—this needs to be something a determined toddler can't climb, squeeze through, or crawl under. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, with the latch out of reach of small children. If your pool shares a fence with your house, install door alarms on any exits leading to the pool area.
Supervision means eyes on, not phones on. When kids are in or near the pool, assign a "water watcher"—an adult whose only job for that time is watching the pool. Not scrolling Instagram. Not prepping dinner. Just watching. Drowning doesn't look like the movies—it's silent and it happens fast.
Learn CPR. Everyone in your household should know it. The Red Cross does classes regularly around Pensacola. The difference between knowing CPR and not knowing it could be the difference between a close call and a tragedy.
If You've Got a Short-Term Rental
If you own a vacation rental with a pool, you've got extra responsibilities. Your guests are in vacation mode—relaxed, distracted, unfamiliar with your property. Here's what you need to handle:
Make your pool rules clear before they arrive. Include pool safety information in your welcome packet, pre-arrival emails, and in signage at the property. Spell out your pool rules, hours (if you have them), and emergency procedures. Make sure guests know where life-saving equipment is.
Provide the right equipment and make it visible. Life rings, shepherd's hooks, and a first aid kit should be poolside and clearly marked. Post CPR instructions and emergency numbers in a waterproof format right there at the pool. Your guests shouldn't have to hunt for this stuff in an emergency.
Invest in pool alarms. Surface wave alarms detect when someone enters the water. They're not foolproof, but they're an extra layer of protection—especially helpful when you've got multiple families or groups using your rental.
Consider a safety cover or net system. When the pool isn't in use, a properly installed safety cover can provide an additional barrier. Just make sure it's rated for safety, not just those bubble covers meant for heat retention.
Be explicit about liability. Your rental agreement should clearly state that children must be supervised at all times around the pool. Document everything about your safety measures—it protects you legally, but more importantly, it helps keep people safe.
The Unglamorous Truth
Here's the thing: pool ownership comes with real responsibility. Whether you're a homeowner or running a vacation rental, you're the one who has to make sure the fun doesn't turn into something nobody wants to think about.
Check your barriers regularly. Replace worn gate springs. Test your alarms. Keep that pool deck clear of toys when it's not in use—because a ball floating in the water is an invitation for a kid to go after it.
And if you're managing a short-term rental, remember that every family who walks through your door is trusting you've thought this through. Don't let them down.
The best pool days are the ones where everyone goes home with nothing but happy memories and maybe a little too much sun. A few simple safety measures keep it that way.
Need help maintaining a safe, clean pool for your family or guests? We'll handle the chemistry and cleaning so you can focus on what matters—keeping everyone safe and happy. Give us a call.
