Summer is just around the corner, and everyone knows what that means; hiking, long walks, kids playing outside all day, barbecuing, and of course,swimming. While swimming is one of the most beloved summer activities, it can be dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. In addition to drowning risk, there are other potential dangers of which pool owners should be aware.

For example, at The Pool Store, we recommend customers know the risks pool toys can pose. Below you will find 4 things to do in ensure pool toy safety. 

Inspect Toys

It may seem to you that it’s completely fine taking your pool toys out of storage and immediately using them. However, being sure that there are no signs of wear and that any plugs are securely fastened is incredibly important. Part of inspecting these toys is to make sure that there are not any signs of soon-to-be holes or existing holes. If you have any concern at all about a pool toy, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, and throw it away. Most pool toys are pretty inexpensive and can be easily replaced. Head over to a poolside sales and service store in Minneapolis, MN.

Clean Toys

While chlorine may seem good enough, your toys could very well still develop a slimy and slippery texture. This is usually the result of a mold that can cause earaches and lung or skin infections. Keeping toys clean is important to the health and safety of everyone, particularly children. Cleaning pool toys is pretty simple. Just combine about a gallon of water with 16 ounces of bleach and, while wearing gloves and protective eyewear, scrub the toys with a scrub brush, dipping it in the cleaning solution periodically. Be sure to avoid cleaning these toys on grass, as the bleach will kill grass. Rinse the toys with water using a garden hose when done to make sure all of the bleach is removed. 

Put Toys Away

While it’s important to keep the pool toys safe from wear and tear and clean from any bacteria, it’s also important to store them safely and securely. If no one is around, or the toy is not being used, be sure to put it away. Failure to do so is a big safety hazard. For example, a small child could decide that they want to play with a toy that is floating in the water, and this could potentially result in a fatal fall into the pool. 

Always Supervise

Pool toys such as floaties, life jackets, and noodles can be great for children who are just learning to swim. These toys can sometimes create a false sense of security for the parents and also for the child. Parents may feel that the child using floaties is safe and decide to run inside, or even turn their backs for a moment. On the other hand, the child may feel that it is easier to swim than they think and take the risk of removing the life jacket, or getting rid of the noodle. This could result in drowning and result in fatality. Even though the child is safe for the moment, be sure to keep an eye out no matter what. This will avoid accidents.

While swimming can be a fun and exciting family event, it can also be very dangerous if the right precautions are not taken. To avoid any sort of tragedy, be sure to follow these steps for pool toy safety. It will result in a fun, safe, and accident-free summer of swimming!