Swimming and pool safety
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NEVER leave a child unobserved around the pool; keep your eyes on children at
ALL TIMES. Always designate a "water watcher".
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Enclose your yard and pool with a self-closing, self-locking fence with vertical bars.
Fence openings should be no more than 4 inches wide.
- Don't leave furniture near a pool fence that would enable a child to climb the fence.
- Keep toys and pets away from the pool; they can cause a child to fall into the water.
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Keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. A pole, rope
and life preservers are recommended.
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Keep a cordless phone nearby so no one has to go inside to answer a call.
- Post CPR instructions and the 911 emergency number in the pool area.
- Learn CPR and insist that anyone who cares for children know it as well.
- Always swim with a buddy.
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Don't depend on floating toys; they are not designed to save lives. Use approved
lifesaving equipment.
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Always swim away from diving boards and slides; when jumping, diving or sliding,
be sure to wait until others clear your landing area before entering the water.
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If you are overheated, enter the water slowly.
Rapid temperature changes can cause you to faint or lose muscle control.
- Don't mix drugs or alcohol with swimming.
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Make sure pool-cleaning equipment, such as brush and skimmer poles, don't
come in contact with power lines.
- Teach older children to watch out for their brothers and sisters.
- Don't run or engage in horseplay on pool decks. Decks are very slippery when wet.
You can also view a diagram that illustrates ways to keep
your backyard pool area safe (PDF).
