Q:What can I do to keep my children safe in a swimming pool environment?
A: Learn to swim!
The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim; this includes adults and children.
- Never swim alone; always teach your children to swim with a buddy.
- Never leave a child unattended around water (pool, bucket, tub, stream, pond, etc.). An adult should be supervising the child and their eyes should be on the child at all times. Remember: An infant or toddler can drown in as little as one inch of water.
- To prevent choking, never chew gum or eat while swimming.
- Check the depth of water before diving in to make sure it's deep enough (a minimum depth of nine feet is recommended).
- Watch out for the dangerous "toos" - too tired, too cold, too far from safety and too much sun.
- Enclose pool completely with a self-locking, self-closing fence with vertical bars. Never leave furniture near the fence; a child could climb over the fence and fall into the pool.
- Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use. Toys can attract young children to lean into the pool.
- Always keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use them. Pole, rope and personal flotation devices (lifejackets) are recommended.
- Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
- Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so you can call 911 in an emergency.
- Learn CPR and have instructions, as well as 9-1-1 posted in the pool area.
Q: What should you do if you see someone who is drowning?
