As the summer months approach quickly, everyone who owns a pool will be getting their pools ready for entertaining. Having a pool, in ground, above ground, or even a kiddie pool requires responsibility. Water can be fun but it can also be a dangerous thing. Taking steps now to prevent an accident will make the summer swimming season a whole lot more enjoyable.

Here are a few things to do to make your pool a safe place this summer:

1. If you have small children, put a fence around the pool. In some areas, this is now a required code. A locking fence around the perimeter of the yard is a must in order to keep out intruders or young children or even animals that can fall in and possibly drown in the pool.

2. If you have a pool cover, don't allow anyone to stand on it. It is not a guaranteed safety net.

3. Get a pool alarm just in case someone, especially a small child, falls in.

4. Make sure that window and door locks are working properly. It can be too easy for a child to open a door.

5. Check those drain covers to make sure they are working properly. Replace older drain covers with certified 2007 ASME A112.19.8 standard covers.

6. Remove toys from the pool area so as not to attract children.

7. Always have a designated pool watcher. This is so important when children are in the pool. Things happen too quickly.

8. Eliminate diving boards (they increase the price of home insurance). If you must have one, make sure it is in the deep end of the pool.

9. Have pool rules that everyone must follow. Simple things such as running into the pool or around the pool can cause an accident.

10. Make sure that pool toys and floats are not too big for the pool. A big float can be pulled over and cause a head injury.

11. Keep glass and breakables away from pool.

12. Keep pool chemicals away from children and store safely. Some chemicals cannot be stored together.

13. If a storm is approaching, get everyone out of the pool. Don't wait for the storm to be overhead as lightening is known to travel very far from where it originated.

14. Never let anyone swim alone including adults.

15. Arm swimmies and floats are not life preservers. Don't allow children to use them without supervision.

No matter what you do, there may be a time where something happens. Always use common sense as to the severity of the injury. Keeping emergency numbers close by can be a life saver. Finally, it is a good idea if someone in the home learned CPR.