Yes, rules. If you have a backyard pool and if you have children, you need to establish rules for the use of the swimming pool. In fact, you would be wise to develop pool use rules even if you don't have children. As you've probably noticed throughout this site, SAFETY is of major concern when it comes to swimming pools. (It has been documented that even "strangers" will get into someone's swimming pool to cool off ...especially if no one is home.

So, let's talk about some of the rules you should be thinking about.

First and foremost, NO CHILDREN OR PETS IN THE POOL AREA WITHOUT AN ADULT PRESENT. As the statistics on the home page point out, children under 5 years of age are the most at risk of fatal drowning.

The pool gate or door should always be shut. Do not leave it open, even a little bit. It doesn't take much for a small child to get in, even if you normally wouldn't think that possible. In fact, the gate or door should be self-closing and self-latching. Don't prop it open for any reason when an adult is not in the pool area.

No running on the pool deck. Many residential pools have decks made of materials that may become unusually slippery when wet. Accidents happen. Kids have been known to slide into the water "accidentally on purpose".

When in the pool, no playing with the drains or the skimmer weirs. (Some children find it fun to remove the weir and play with it like a frisbee). The weir is necessary to create the surface tension that helps to draw floating debris from the pool. Also, no one should be allowed to dive to the bottom to play with the main drain cover (if you have one in your pool). That drain has enough suction force to grab a child's suit, arms or other body parts, holding the child under water.

If you have a power-driven pool cover, then no children in the pool area if the cover is only partially open or closed. This is another area where kids like to play and if they get into trouble while under the cover, an adult may not know that they are there.

Whenever you need to leave the pool area (to answer a doorbell or telephone, for instance) do not leave the children unattended. If there is not another adult available to watch them, then take them with you.

Instruct your children that if they see someone in the pool that looks like they are in trouble, not to jump in and try to save them, but to run and get an adult to help. Someone who is really in the act of drowning is trying their best to keep their head above water to breathe. They will grab anything and anyone to accomplish this. This means a would-be rescuer could quickly find themselves in danger. A better solution is to have rescue equipment near the pool, a ring buoy or torpedo float, etc., attached to a rope that could be tossed to the distressed swimmer to give them something to grab.

Think about these suggestions. You may come up with some that are more specific to "your" backyard pool.

One more?

No toys should be left in the pool when everyone has finished swimming. Toys can attract small kids right back to the pool when you least expect it. I've said it before, NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE RESOLVE OF A CHILD.