In the long, hot summer months and school holidays, children love swimming pools. They like to swim on hot days and dry off on the deck with an ice pack. Whether it's a birthday or you're just looking for ways to entertain the kids, summer is always a great time for a pool party.

If you're planning a pool party for your kids, be sure to read these tips so everyone can have a safe and happy time.

Gates and Fences

Every Australian knows that if there is a pool in the backyard, it must be surrounded by a regulation fence. This is an important factor in keeping our children safe around swimming pools. Check that your door is well maintained and that the door lock works.

Smooth surfaces

The pool area may be surrounded by wooden decks or tiled patios, so it is always good to check that these surfaces do not become slippery when submerged. Apply a test patch to ensure the surface is porous enough to absorb water or seal with a sand varnish to prevent slipping.

Pool rules

If there are some children around, it can be a bit noisy. Be sure to explain to children the rules for safe play. Do not run, do not push or pull. Be careful not to dive, dive into bombs, or eat in the water.

What Brig

Ask the child to bring a towel, sunscreen, and a hat. You don't want anyone going home burned out or overheated. If a child is sensitive to pool chemicals, ask them to wear safety glasses. It's also a good idea to bring the kids with any pool toys or equipment. This saves you from having to buy from them.

Shade

As much as children love spending time in the sun, it's a good idea to provide them with plenty of shade. When not in the pool, they may want to sit under a tree or umbrella to dry off, especially in the middle of the day.

Spell out

While kids can usually have fun without your help, it's always helpful to have a few games. You could give them a blindfold so they can play Marco Polo with the blindfolded player yelling "Marco" and the rest of the group yelling "Polo" and the blindfolded player having to tag someone. Hot Potato is a fun game in which children have to go around a water balloon filled with water with a small hole. Whoever has it, when it's finally empty, will be out. You can also provide pool ponies, bananas, noodles, bouncy balls, toss rings, and squirt toys.

Food

Keep food away from the pool to avoid too much mess. Place it on a table in the house, near the door (to prevent drips on the floor), or outside the designated pool on the porch or patio. Provide light foods like sandwiches and chips. Offer plenty of fresh fruit like chilled watermelon, grapes, and pineapple. Make sure you always have enough water available. A good way to cool down is to have ice cubes or popsicles on hand.