There's nothing more refreshing and fun for humans and dogs alike than a splash in the pool when temperatures soar. Here are some water safety rules to help prevent accidents and have a safe summer:

Realize that puppies may panic in water.

Some dogs love the water and seem to have an instinct for swimming, but many dogs don't swim very well. In fact, some dogs hate the water. If your dog is one of these, respect his feelings.

Never toss a dog into water. Start slowly in shallow water and coax him in with toys or treats.

Don't allow him to get in deeper than he can handle. Sometimes a dog will follow the example of a doggy pal who loves to swim.

Heat and sunlight are more intense around a pool. Your dog cannot keep as cool as you, so watch for signs of overheating.

Don't let your dog drink from the pool; the chlorine will make him sick.

Chlorinated water may also irritate your dog's eyes. When you're finished playing in the pool, hose your dog down with fresh water to get the chlorine out.

Install a see-through pool fence or barrier. This is your first and best line of defense. There are many quality pool fences on the market. Once installed, keep it closed at all times, even if you leave the pool area to go inside for a few minutes. The fence should have a self-closing, self-locking gate.

Purchase a floating pool alarm device. These float in your pool and go off if the surface of the pool is disturbed. You should have it designed so the alarm sounds both outside and inside your home.

Click here for a cool video on pets and pool safety.

There is a device called a Skamper-Ramp. This simple device will save pets and little critters' lives. It's possible that your Skamper-Ramp will never be called upon to save your dog, or neighborhood cats. It is reassuring though, to have it "ready" just in case. All sorts of creatures can find their way into your pool. Most of these episodes happen while everyone is sleeping. Skamper-Ramp offers animals, which have had the misfortune of accidentally falling into your pool, a way out before they have succumbed to drowning by sheer exhaustion.

Photo credit - Heather Moran ©2004