‘PARTNERING WITH THE NDPA’
By Adam Katchmarchi, Ph.D.
How to approach the “Water Safety Conversation” with your customers.
As the industry responds to increasing consumer demand for backyard pools to enjoy a true “staycation” experience without having to leave their home, the need for consumer education surrounding water safety and drowning prevention couldn’t be more necessary.
With the responsibility of having your own pool comes the need to not only learn how to operate and maintain it correctly, but more importantly how to enjoy it safely.
Including this as part of the conversation with your prospects and customers should be common practice for service and sales representatives and it is easy to do with the resources and information available, specifically the Five Layers of Protection considered standard practice among water safety organizations and drowning prevention groups.
In 2020 and through 2021, the residential pool and spa industry saw a record increase in ownership. Tragically, in the United States in markets such as Florida, the incidence of childhood drowning also grew during this time, peaking in 2021 and remaining at a historically high level in 2022. In fact, according to the Florida Department of Children and Families, nearly 20% of all childhood deaths in the state in 2022 were caused by unintentional drowning.
With drowning ranked as the single leading cause of death among children ages 1-4, and the second leading cause of unintentional injury for children ages 5-18, pool and spa professionals are in the unique position to become Water Safety Champions to their customers by imparting sound guidance and tools they can use, with the message that with education and knowledge, drowning is preventable!
Whether included in leave-behind materials or discussed one-on-one as part a client’s many pool-related questions and options, not only are industry pros giving their customers greater peace of mind by providing them with established tips and protocols to make sure they enjoy their pool safely, but it’s also good business that can lead to positive reviews, referrals, and a fruitful, ongoing customer relationship.
To encourage more pool and spa professionals to share water safety information with their customers, NDPA has introduced a Water Safety Champion designation for those in the industry who make water safety and drowning prevention a priority by advocating and sharing the Five Layers of Protection with their customers.
Available as a free printable and shareable resource via NDPA’s website, the five layers of protection considered best practices by water safety experts include supervision, water competency, life jackets, emergency preparation/CPR training, and barriers and alarms — all easy steps for a pool owner to incorporate into their backyard pool experience to keep their family safe.
It’s good business to help save lives, and as an expert in the industry, pool and spa professionals are on the front lines in the effort to prevent drowning, especially among children.
By being a water safety advocate to your customers and making drowning prevention a part of the conversation, you are showing potential clients that you care about more than just providing a business or service, but for their safety and well-being as well, which leads to a level of customer loyalty that is beyond measure.
