We Now Accept Recipient EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THESE HAZARDS SHOULD GIVE RISE TO ADDED CAUTION ON YOUR PART!  HAZARDS 1) You have several thousand gallons of water in your backyard and it takes merely one or two cupfuls to drown a person. 2) You have quantities of lethal poisons in the form of chemicals on hand. 3) You have electrical equipment such as pumps and lights in close proximity to the water. 4) Your yard becomes a focal point of activity for a large number of neighborhood kids. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS FOR DEALING WITH THESE HAZARDS. 1)The fence or wall should be at least 5 feet high. Chain-link fences which provide footholds for little feet should be topped by a " Y " extension. Other barriers should have rounded, angular or pointed tops. 2) So little children or dogs can't dig, crawl or create tunnels under the enclosure, the fence should be constructed with continuous footings or be embedded into the earth to a depth of at least six inches. 3) Fence framing and braces should be on the inside of the pool enclosure to eliminate external handholds or footholds which a child might use as a ladder. 4) Hedges and other foliage should be trimmed so the pool area can be observed from outside.    5) The gate should be locked at all times when responsible adults are not present and the gate latching mechanism checked at the end of each pool use to ensure proper operation. If a padlock is used, a combination type is preferred to a key type. Selected neighbors should be informed of a means to access in emergencies. 6) A push button, preferably enclosed in a break-glass or break-link box to prevent tampering, should be mounted adjacent to the gate ( reachable from inside and outside ) . This will activate a loud alarm for securing assistance in emergencies. Neighbors should know what the alarm means and what action to take. 7) An automatic alarm system would be ideal to warn of trespassers in the pool area. 8) Complete emergency instructions, with telephone numbers, should be posted on both sides of the pool enclosure next to the gate. 9) A float line serves as a lifeline and keeps weak swimmers in the shallow water. It also warns of a change in the slope of the pool bottom. Position it at least one foot toward the shallow end before the slope begins. 10) Ensure that youngsters receive instruction in floating and swimming. This can never be done at too early an age. They also need to understand their limitations about the water. 11) Depth markings on the pool deck should show safe jumping and diving areas. This is invaluable to your guests. 12) High ornamental fences with vertical segments, framed on the outside and with no footholds should replace easy to climb fences. Periodic gaps of about one or two inches provides external visibility. 13) Lighting should be controlled from the house. All electrical installations should comply with your Provincial (or State ) Electrical Regulations. 14) Small, portable wading pools should be dumped and safely stored immediately after use. 15) Before purchasing any pool, determine insurance aspects, building and zoning codes, and other regulations. You can obtain helpful advice from local health and building departments. 16) All chemicals, supplies and equipment should be kept securely locked at all times and used when no children are in the vicinity. Afternoon nap time and / or evenings, after the kids are in bed ,are good times to deal with the chemical maintenance of your pool. 17) Safety equipment should include at least one pole long enough to reach half way across your pool. It can be purchased or made from bamboo - like lightweight, strong material. If lighting fixtures are around the pool, insulate it wit a non- conducting material. 18) A buoyant aid firmly attached to a heaving line is essential. The line should be made of 1/4 " nylon floating rope. Ring buoys or sealed plastic gallon bottles, one quarter full of water, are suitable heaving lines. At the end of the line should be a very large knot or block for securely holding the line in place. Store it in neat loops visible at all times. Towels, paddles, clothing, deck chairs and air mattresses can be used as reaching aids for rescue purposes.  COMPETENT ADULT SUPERVISION IS A MUST. "TEMPORARILY UNATTENDED CHILDREN" CONTRIBUTE TO MORE DROWNINGS THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE CAUSE. THERE MUST BE ANOTHER PERSON PRESENT WHENEVER ANYONE IS SWIMMING OR WORKING ABOUT THE POOL. EVEN EXPERT SWIMMERS CAN SUFFER INJURY OR FATIGUE LEADING TO DROWNING!