Drowning Prevention Tips and Layers of Protection

Supervision

• Never leave a child unattended near water in a pool/hot tub, tub, bucket or ocean. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR ADULT SUPERVISION.
• Designate a “Water Watcher” to maintain constant watch over children in the pool/spa during gatherings.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Remove toys from in and around the pool/spa when not in use. Don’t let kids play in the pool/spa area.
• Do not consider children “drown proof” because they’ve had swimming lessons.

Protective Layers

• Keep a life-saving ring, shepherd’s hook and CPR instructions mounted at poolside
• The home should be isolated from the pool with a fence at least 6’tall with a self-closing, self-latching gate. The gate should open away from the pool, and should never be propped open. Gate latches should be out of reach of children and on the pool side of the gate.
• Doors and windows should be alarmed to alert adults when opened. Doors should be self-closing and self-latching.
• Pool alarms and child wrist alarms are another layer of protection because they can alert adults when a child enters or falls into the pool.
• Power-operated pool safety covers are the most convenient and efficient. Solar/floating pool covers are NOT safety devices. Hot tubs should have solid covers latched and locked.

Prevention

• Ensure your swimming pool and its' parts/equipment are up to date with the local codes and standards.
• Never leave the pool to answer the phone, answer the door, or to get a towel. Always take the children with you.
• Keep a phone at poolside so that you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone, and can call for help if needed. 
• Post emergency numbers on the phone or near the pool so can be easily viewed in case of emergency.
• Don’t use floating chlorine dispensers that look like toys.
• Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards, and emphasize the need for constant supervision.
• Never leave water in buckets or wading pools.
• Keep safety covers and barriers secure and closed at all times.
• To keep children from climbing over fencing and gates keep items that children can climb on away from the gates and fencing that surround the pool.
• Never leave a swimming pool safety cover partially off or on the pool. Completely remove safety covers to swim and completely replace them when not using the pool. 
• Ladders and steps on above ground pools should be secured and locked or removed when the pool is not in use. 
• Responsibilities of pool ownership include ensuring children in the home learn to swim and that adults know CPR.
• Learn CPR and rescue breathing.
• If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Seconds count.
• Have an emergency plan – Don’t Stall! Yell for help! Get the child out of the pool! Call 911! Begin CPR! If you do not know CPR, 911 operators can help. Practice your plan regularly.

Other Safety Measures

• Lightning can be dangerous to swimmers in and around the pool. Good rule of thumb is “If you can hear it, clear it. If you can see it, flee it.” If in doubt, GET OUT!
• Diving: Do not dive before checking the depth with your “feet first.” Do not dive into above ground pools. Do not dive from the side of a pool.
• Always be aware of electrical hazards around water. Extension cords should not be left near swimming pools.
• Keep the pump and equipment area of your swimming pool clean and free of debris and litter. Motors are hot and potentially fire hazards if debris is piled on or around them.
• Do not have older siblings watch younger children in the water. They are not trained or mature enough to be given such a responsibility.
  
  Know where children are at all times.  When they are supposed to be near the pool, make sure that there is at least one adult – undistracted by anything around him or her – whose sole job it is to keep an eye on the kids.  You can teach children how to swim, and you can install as many barriers as you wish around a pool.  But the only way you are going to prevent children from drowning is to keep an eye on them at all times.