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CHILD SAFETY

FOUNDER COMMITMENT

Hi, I’m Addie, the founder and owner of Delphina Pools. I started this company four years ago with a simple goal: to create a beautiful, fun space where my kids and I could spend quality time together—playing, being silly, cooling off, and making lasting memories.

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While that mission remains close to my heart, my top priority is making Delphina Pools the safest pool on the market. As a mom of two young kids still learning their way around water, ensuring safety is deeply personal and incredibly important to me.

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Please take a moment to read the safety information below. Remember that adult supervision is the first and best way to prevent accidents. In addition, multiple layers of safety should be used for prevention. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call and ask for me directly. I’m here to support you as your go-to safety resource.

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Thank you for trusting Delphina Pools!

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THE STATS

Reading these statistics can be alarming, but it highlights the critical importance of implementing these safety measures.

  • Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4 in the United States, excluding birth defects.

  • Children ages 1-4 are at the highest risk of drowning, with the majority of incidents occurring in home pools.

  • Over 50% of drowning victims in this age group are found within minutes of being unsupervised near a pool. Most accidents happen during brief lapses in supervision.

  • Approximately 69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near the water when the incident occurred.

  • Use of barriers such as pool fencing can reduce the risk of drowning by 83%.

  • Constant adult supervision is the most effective way to prevent accidents. 

DELPHINA FALL RISK

Because Delphina Pools are above-ground, sitting or playing on the pool edges creates a fall risk. If you have children, we highly suggest avoiding hard landscaping materials around the pool area, like rocks, bricks, hard dirt, or concrete. Instead, use softer ground options below. 

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When consulting a landscaper or shopping online for materials, reference the "Critical Fall Height," which refers to the maximum height from which a person can fall onto a surface without sustaining a life-threatening head injury. It is a safety metric used to determine the protective capabilities of impact-absorbing surfaces, such as those found in playgrounds, poolside areas, or sports fields.

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  • Turf with Shock Absorption Below: Lay artificial grass with a shock-absorbing underlayer. It provides a soft, cushioned surface. 

  • DIY Rubber or Foam Safety Mats: Install interlocking foam or rubber mats similar to those used in playgrounds. These surfaces are durable and highly effective for cushioning falls. Here is a good example.

  • Rubber Mulch: Apply rubber mulch as a cushioned ground covering. It’s durable, soft, and ideal for absorbing impact.

  • Pea Gravel or Fine Sand: Surround the pool with pea gravel or fine sand, which provides a softer landing compared to hard surfaces.

  • Natural Grass: Maintain soft, healthy grass around the pool area. 

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Suggested Resources:

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Delphina Fall Risk
BARRIERS & DOOR ALARMS

Pool Barriers and door alarms are very important as they restrict access to the pool area, reducing the risk of unsupervised entry by children or pets. These barriers include wood/metal fences, buildings, or pool-specific mesh fences paired with alarms for any barrier doors and windows. We have a whole separate page detailing our barrier requirements here!

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  • Compliance with Safety Codes: Installing barriers and alarms ensures adherence to local, national, and international safety regulations, protecting users and pool owners legally.

  • Reduces Drowning Risks: Proper barriers significantly lower the chances of accidental drowning, especially for children under 5 years old.

  • Acts as a Layer of Protection: Even when supervision lapses, barriers provide an additional safety measure to prevent accidents.

  • Psychological Safety: Barriers give parents and guardians peace of mind by limiting access to the pool area.

  • Deters Non-Swimmers: Barriers prevent individuals without adequate swimming skills from entering the pool area unnoticed.

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Suggested Resources:

REVIEW SAFETY RULES WITH YOUR CHILDREN

​Educating your children about pool safety is crucial, even at a young age.  

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  • Keep It Simple: Use clear, age-appropriate language to explain the rules so children can easily understand and remember them.

  • Focus on Safety: Emphasize that the rules are in place to keep everyone safe and prevent accidents.

  • No Jumping or Diving: Make it clear that above-ground pools are too shallow for jumping and diving, which can cause serious head and neck injuries.

  • Teach Clear Communication: Instruct children and adults to call loudly for help and point directly to someone when assigning responsibility to call 911.

  • Always Ask for Permission: Teach children to never enter the pool without an adult’s permission or supervision.

  • Stay Away From the Pool Edge: Explain the fall risk when sitting or climbing on the pool’s edge.

  • Avoid Drains and Swimming Behind Ladders: Teach children to stay away from drains and filters, as they can create strong suction and pose entrapment risks.

  • Avoid Equipment and Chemicals: Teach children to stay away from the filter pump, floating chlorine dispenser, and any other chemicals. 

  • Reinforce Rules Regularly: Repeat the rules often to ensure they stay top-of-mind, especially before each swim session.

ADULT SUPERVISION IS CRITICAL

Supervision is the primary layer of protection. Clear adult supervision and the "Water Watcher" role are critical to preventing accidents and ensuring a safe pool environment. Never leave the pool unsupervised. When supervision is not available, even for a moment, lock access to the pool.

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  • Designate a Water Watcher: Appoint one responsible adult as a “designated water watcher.” Always have a responsible adult solely focused on supervising the pool area during swim time.

  • No Distractions: The Water Watcher should avoid distractions like using a phone, reading, or engaging in prolonged conversations.

  • Stay Within Arm’s Reach: For young children or non-swimmers, the supervising adult should remain close enough to intervene immediately if needed.

  • Know the Signs of Trouble: Educate the Water Watcher to recognize silent drowning signs, such as head bobbing, inability to call for help, or unusual stillness.

PREVENT ENTRAPMENT

Suction entrapment occurs when a swimmer becomes trapped by the powerful suction from a pool drain, which can result in serious injury or drowning. 

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  • Inspect Drain Covers Regularly: Most drain covers are made from plastic, which weakens over time due to wear, UV exposure, and chlorine. Cracks or defects may not be visible but can compromise safety. The life of a drain cover is specified on the cover itself. 

  • Replace Drain Covers: Proactively replace drain covers before they show signs of damage to prevent suction entrapment injuries. Treat it as routine maintenance, similar to replacing worn tires on a car.

  • Install Compliant Drain Covers: Ensure all pool drains meet the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act (VGB Act) standards, which require anti-entrapment designs.

  • Educate Swimmers: Teach children and adults to stay away from pool drains, suction outlets, and filters.

USE THE POOL CORRECTLY

  • REMOVE THE STAIRS WHEN NOT IN USE: The stairs are specifically designed for easy removal when the pool is not in use. Removing the stairs helps prevent children from accessing the pool unsupervised. Store the stairs at least 4 feet away from the pool.

  • NEVER STAND ON THE POOL WRAP: Do not stand on the pool wrap, as this increases the risk of falls and injuries.

  • No Diving or Jumping: Diving or jumping into the pool can result in serious injuries. Always enter the pool safely.

  • Electrical: Never use the pool when the vacuum is running. 

  • Stairs and Ladder: Teach children to use the stairs and ladder correctly. Always hold onto the handrails for support when climbing up or down. Face the ladder when entering or exiting the pool to maintain balance and reduce the risk of slips or falls. Remind kids never to exit the pool by jumping off the pool edge.

  • Pool Safety Signs: Ensure everyone reads and follows the safety signs posted on the pool, ladder, and stairs. These signs provide important reminders for safe pool use.

  • Leaf Cover: Although not childproof, a leaf cover adds an extra layer of safety by deterring unsupervised access and keeping the pool clean. Always secure the leaf cover when the pool is not in use, and completely remove it before swimming.

SIGN UP FOR SWIM LESSONS

As a mom, I know firsthand that swim lessons can be expensive and time-consuming, but they're worth it.

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  • Swim Lessons: Explore professional swim lessons for children who are not confident swimmers to build water safety skills. Parent-and-child classes can introduce children to water safety and basic swimming skills as young as six months old.

  • Focus on Survival Skills: Emphasize essential skills like floating, treading water, and safely exiting the pool.

  • Our Favorite Local Swim Lessons:

A CLEAN POOL AND CHEMICAL SAFETY

  • Maintain Water Balance: Regularly test and adjust the pool’s pH, alkalinity, and chlorine levels to keep the water safe, clean, and comfortable for swimmers.

  • Protect Swimmers’ Health: Unbalanced or improperly treated water can cause skin irritation, eye discomfort, or more severe health risks from bacteria or algae exposure.

  • Store Chemicals Securely: Keep pool chemicals in a locked cabinet or a storage area that is out of reach of children.

  • Store in a Cool, Dry Place: Keep chemicals in a safe, ventilated, and temperature-controlled environment away from children's play areas.

PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY

  • Educate: Teach children what to do in an emergency, like how to signal for help or safely exit the pool.

  • Learn CPR: Complete a CPR course from a certified provider like the Red Cross, American Heart Association, or local organizations. Take a refresher course or retrain every two years to maintain certification and stay updated on best practices. Review CPR techniques every 6 months with family or household members to ensure confidence and familiarity in emergencies. Watch this short 2-minute video for CPR basics.

PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY

  • Educate: Teach children what to do in an emergency, like how to signal for help or safely exit the pool.

  • Learn CPR: Complete a CPR course from a certified provider like the Red Cross, American Heart Association, or local organizations.Take a refresher course or retrain every two years to maintain certification and stay updated on best practices. Review CPR techniques every 6 months with family or household members to ensure confidence and familiarity in emergencies.

ALTER YOUR YARD DESIGN

  • Delphina Design: Delphina products are modular, so design your space without furniture directly against the pool. Do not place objects (such as chairs or tables) near the pool, fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.

  • Toys: Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheeled toys, away from the pools. 

ALTER YOUR DESIGN

  • Delphina Design: Delphina products are modular, so design your space without furniture directly against the pool. Do not place objects (such as chairs or tables) near the pool, fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.

  • Toys: Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheeled toys, away from the pools. 

DELPHINA UPGRADES COMING SOON

  • Pool Fencing on the Pool

  • Childproof Safety Cover

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