POOL OWNERS: BE VIGILANT AND PREVENT DROWNINGS!

As winter approaches, it is strongly recommended that you monitor residential pools. When cold weather arrives, before they freeze, they can become death traps for cats looking for water. Swimming pools pose a real danger.

The summer season is over, people have cleaned up their yards, started emptying their pools, and are preparing for winter. There is less water in the pools, and unfortunately, some cats are found deceased, unable to get out.

There are three main reasons why animals drown:

exhaustion after swimming for too long,
as a result of hypothermia when the animal finds itself in cold water, which most often occurs in spring or fall, and
when the animal is unable to return to the surface due to eddies.

In any case, when you have a pet and a pool, you need to be just as careful as if you had a child.

Here are a few basic concepts and simple steps to consider that will help prevent such accidents.

You can use a cover that completely covers the pool. However, for surface covers (solar covers) or protective tarps, think carefully.Be aware that even if the cover is tightly stretched, if your pet decides to venture onto it, it could give way under its weight or prevent it from getting out of the water.
- However, there is a safe cover that can be installed on an in-ground pool at the end of the season and is designed to support the weight of a person or animal without any problems. If you are interested, research locally how to order this custom-made cover.
For above-ground pools with a ladder, consider adding a rescue ramp to make it easier for animals to get out in case of an accident. This ramp is attaches to the pool siding and allows cats (and other animals) to easily grab hold of it to get out of the pool. It is clear that stairs or an access ramp will be more suitable for animals than a ladder.
Pieces of insulation panels (pieces of Styrofoam) can be placed in the pool when the water is not frozen. The panels float, so if a cat falls into the pool, it can climb onto the panels, which can serve as a float aid and save it from drowning.
When the water is frozen, wooden planks can also be installed to act as ramps and help animals get out of the pool
Also remember to protect access to water tanks and block any access to your swimming pool, as your pet
could venture in and get stuck in the freezing water. This is especially true for cats, who are agile climbers: tanks used to collect rainwater must be properly sealed to prevent accidents.

Checking your pool every day is also a simple habit that can make a big difference.

Remember that it is important to secure the area around your pool at all times to prevent your cat from falling
into the water. And of course, staying vigilant is the best advice you can follow!

References :

https://www.spca.com/sept-conseils-pour-proteger-vos-animaux-cet-hiver/
https://spaestrie.qc.ca/
https://www.santevet.com/articles/chien-chat-et-piscine-prevention-des-risques-d-accidents
https://www.guide-piscine.fr/personnaliser-sa-piscine/le-chat-et-la-piscine-1086_A
https://www.lefigaro.fr/animaux/chat-et-piscine-avez-vous-pense-a-tout-20230720