Family pool safety is truly our absolute priority as sector professionals. More than 35 million private swimming pools bring joy to families every summer in France. These pools with their calm and clear water are perfect places for leisure and even for learning to swim with complete peace of mind.
Yet behind this idyllic picture there is a reality we cannot ignore. The risks of drowning definitely exist especially for young children. This therefore requires constant vigilance from everyone. Consequently our mission as professionals is essential. We must support our customers and clearly inform them about all the best practices to guarantee the safety and well-being of everyone.
Mandatory Safety Systems
It is fundamental to remind all your customers that having a safety system compliant with standards is a legal obligation. This is truly the first step in protecting their family against the risk of drowning. Owners fortunately have a choice between four standardized devices. These options include for example barriers which physically prevent access to the pool. There are also immersion alarms which detect a fall into the water. We also find safety covers which completely cover the surface. Finally pool enclosures transform the pool into a closed and secure space.
Furthermore it is very important that customers request the certificate of conformity from their supplier. This assures them that the device complies with all required standards. This certificate is an essential guarantee of the system’s effectiveness.
Moreover a large number of individuals favor dual function systems combining safety and practicality. Pool covers and enclosures offer a significant additional advantage. They help preserve water by limiting evaporation by 40 to 90%. This reduces water consumption and chemical needs. This represents a significant saving for owners and an appreciable ecological gesture. According to a 2022 survey 90% of owners have already installed at least one safety device. This is a clear sign of awareness of the importance of this equipment. However it is our duty to ensure that the remaining 10% are also sensitized and equipped.
Adult Vigilance and Responsibility
Nevertheless never forget to tell your customers that safety devices however effective they may be are only a simple complement to adult vigilance. The majority of accidents occur due to lack of supervision. This is why the presence of an attentive and responsible adult is indispensable. They must actively supervise swimmers and intervene at the slightest sign of trouble. This surveillance must be continuous and above all without any interruption.
In this spirit it is crucial to designate a single adult as responsible for supervision. This person must devote themselves entirely to this task without distraction. This adult must not be distracted by a phone a conversation or any other activity that could divert their attention. Above all you must never entrust the supervision of a child to another child or an adolescent even if they know how to swim. Their ability to react quickly and effectively in an emergency is often insufficient. After swimming it is also vital to immediately put the safety device back in place whether it is a barrier a cover or an enclosure. This simple gesture can prevent dramatic accidents.
A Sensitization Tool
The Federation of Pool and Spa Professionals FPP maintains its prevention and information actions with the general public. The Vigiplouf prevention kit is a concrete example of these efforts it is distributed to encourage vigilance and responsibility. This ingenious and playful device helps children systematically ask for adult supervision before entering the water.
The kit includes two colored and easily identifiable flags. The red flag indicates the absence of supervision and formally prohibits swimming. It serves as a visual alert signal for children and adults. The green flag on the other hand authorizes swimming but only if the supervising adult wears the Vigiplouf armband. This helps to empower adults by clearly designating them as the guardians of children’s safety in the pool. This simple and effective system promotes clear communication and awareness of everyone’s responsibilities.
Water Confidence
Finally the FPP is partnering with the Ministry of Sports to promote water confidence an essential initiative for drowning prevention. The goal is to help children familiarize themselves with water from the youngest age to develop their reflexes and their aquatic autonomy.
Tutorial videos and practical guides are available on the propiscines.fr website to teach children to swim or float as early as possible. We strongly encourage professionals to invite families to consult these valuable resources and enroll their children in water confidence classes. Ideally the child should acquire the basics of water confidence to be able to float and reach the edge of the pool in the event of an accidental fall.
Learning can start very early from kindergarten entry or even before with adapted water awareness sessions. This is an investment for life that can make all the difference. For more information and advice you can consult the propiscines.fr website.
Source: FPP press release on Propiscines.fr
