NEVER leave a child unobserved around the pool; keep your eyes on children at ALL TIMES.

Drowning prevention

SRP supports pool barrier initiatives.

Water safety at home

SRP Safety Connection LogoWater safety is an important part of the SRP Safety Connection program and so we offer the following reminders, including swimming and pool safety tips, to help you prevent accidents.

When we think of water safety, we generally think of swimming pools. But there are many other places where water safety should be practiced. SRP Safety Connection brings you a few hints to remember:

  • Never leave a child alone near any kind of water.
  • Bathtubs, water buckets, fountains, play pools, even toilets can be hazards; warn children to be careful around these seemingly innocent bodies of water.
  • Even two inches of water can drown a child. Keep an eye on children around any water source.
  • Have everyone in the family take swimming lessons - it's great family fun and can help save a life. Call your local YMCA for class schedules and registration information.
  • Sign up for an American Red Cross CPR course by calling (602) 336-6660.

An image of an alligator in a pool.Swimming and pool safety

  • NEVER leave a child unobserved around the pool; keep your eyes on children at ALL TIMES.
  • Designate a "water watcher."
  • Enclose your yard and pool with a self-closing, self-locking fence with vertical bars. Fence openings should be no more than four 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.
  • Keep basic lifesaving equipment by the pool and know how to use it. A pole, rope and life preservers are recommended.
  • Install a phone by the pool and keep a cordless phone nearby so no one has to go inside to answer a call.
  • Post CPR instructions and the 9-1-1 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.
  • Don't depend on floating toys; they are not designed to save lives. Use approved lifesaving equipment.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Make sure GFI is functional on pool light.
  • Make sure pool-cleaning equipment, such as brush and skimmer pools, 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).

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