We’ve all heard it said before – it only takes a few seconds. Children are resourceful and curious. You can never be too careful when it comes to kids around water. With vigilance and physical barriers, we can save lives.
This list is from preventdrownings.org. Please ensure you use these water safety tips in your own home and remember that barriers are never a replacement for adult supervision.
Block
- Make sure your pool and/or spa has an effective barrier, such as a fence to help guard against unauthorized access.
- Your pool or spa should have a barrier regardless of whether they are covered.
- Door and windows leading to the pool areas should be locked. Security systems can be installed that beep throughout the home when a door or window is opened.
- Fence gates should have self-closing, self-latching mechanisms. Latches need to be out of reach of young children.
- Use gate locks and think through where the key is kept, or whether a child can figure out a combination lock, even on accident.
Watch
- Never leave your child unattended in or near a swimming pool, hot tub, or spa – not even for a second.
- Keep toys, tricycles, and other children’s play things away from the pool or spa.
- Don’t consider your children to be “drownproof” because they have taken swimming lessons.
- Don’t allow barriers, such as fences or walls, to give you a false sense of security regarding your child’s safety. There is No substitute for adult supervision.
Learn
- Learn how to administer CPR, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and other lifesaving techniques. To administer CPR correctly you must be properly trained.
- Know how to contact your local emergency medical services. Install a phone or keep a cordless phone in the pool or spa area. Post the emergency number in an easy to see place.
- Learn to swim and teach age appropriate children to swim.
Other Pool Safety Tips
- Do not allow children to play in or around the pool area.
- Mount life saving devices near the pool.
- Keep tables, chairs and ladders away from pool fences.
- Check placement of doggie doors for direct access to pool area.
- Post your local emergency number somewhere easily accessible. Keep a phone near the pool area.
If you find a child in any source of water…
- Yell for help and pull the child out of the water.
- Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately!
- Begin CPR if you are trained.
- If you are not trained to administer CPR, follow the instructions from the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.
Remember: Adult supervision is the best approach in the prevention of drowning.
