Pool safety course aims to keep public out of harms’ way

With summertime and warm weather just around the corner, what’s better than lounging around by the pool?

But before you enjoy a carefree afternoon in the water, one must remember the importance of safety.

That’s why local Red Cross Aquatics Coordinator Mary Bordelon is encouraging pool owners to attend an upcoming Home Pool Safety Course.

“We’re going to be explaining things that they should be aware of and steps they need to take to keep their guests and their families safe at home,” Bordelon said.

Luckily, local pool owners won’t have to travel far to attend.

The Thibodaux American Red Cross Office at 1233 Canal Blvd. will host a course at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 18.

Bordelon said the class will last between 30 and 45 minutes, and those who would like to attend should RSVP by calling (985) 447-3229.

Attending the course will be free of charge, but you can buy a Water Safety Handbook for $5.

“The book reviews the things we’re going to talk about that night, because you go to a presentation and you listen, but when you leave, some of the stuff you might forget,” Bordelon said. “This goes over it and shows them what to do in case there’s an emergency in the pool, and a couple of basic life saving techniques that they can implore.”

If someone is unable to attend the meeting in Thibodaux, the Red Cross will offer the same meeting in Metairie Tuesday, March 23, and in Luling Wednesday, March 24.

Bordelon encourages anyone who will swim in a pool this summer to attend the course, including those who will use public, apartment or condominium pools.

“We’re going to go over simple things like safety equipment they should have on hand, and there will be some rules they can establish for their pools,” Bordelon said.

Some safety tips include having a fence around the pool, where there should be no diving signs, no running around the pool, check the pool chemicals, make sure the chemicals are stored safely, have safety equipment around the pool and if there is a slide make sure it’s secured and in good working order.

Pool safety equipment includes a reaching pole, life jacket, kick board and a mat or blanket that you can throw to someone in a pool.

Bordelon said pool owners should have some kind of emergency plan, so if there is an emergency in the pool, everyone will know exactly what procedure to follow.

“You remove everyone from the pool, someone calls 911, someone stays with the person that’s been injured,” she said.

There will not be a CPR or first aid class at this meeting, but Bordelon encourages pool owners to take one.

The local chapter of the Red Cross offers these courses as well, and their class calendar can be found at arcno.org.

The Home Pool Safety Course is being offered by the Thibodaux American Red Cross on March 18 and will cover simple things like safety equipment, rules and emergency plans. * File photo / Tri-Parish Times