Swimming Pool Safety Tips

One of the pleasures of summer is enjoying time at the pool. However, any time spent around water (especially with children) presents certain risks. For example, did you know:

• Ten people die each day from unintentional drowning, and on average two of them are under age 14. Disclosure 1 1 American Red Cross, “Drowning Prevention & Facts,” https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html, accessed June 7, 2021. 
• Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4—more than any other cause except birth defects. Disclosure 1 1 American Red Cross, “Drowning Prevention & Facts,” https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/water-safety/drowning-prevention-and-facts.html, accessed June 7, 2021. 
• For children under age 5, 87% of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs, and most take place in pools owned by family or friends. Disclosure 2 2 Stop Drowning Now, “Facts & Stats About Drowning,” https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/drowning-statistics/, accessed June 7, 2021. 
• Males have twice the mortality rate of females when it comes to drowning. Disclosure 2 2 Stop Drowning Now, “Facts & Stats About Drowning,” https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/drowning-statistics/, accessed June 7, 2021. 

Follow these tips to keep your family safe when poolside this summer.

Learning how to swim can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% for children ages 1 to 4 who have had formal swimming lessons. Disclosure 2 2 Stop Drowning Now, “Facts & Stats About Drowning,” https://www.stopdrowningnow.org/drowning-statistics/, accessed June 7, 2021.    Even if everyone knows how to swim, make sure you have life jackets or another type of strong flotation device nearby in case of an emergency. Don’t rely on floaties, inner tubes, or noodles; those are toys and not true flotation devices.

Children don’t see danger like adults do. Just as you teach your kids to buckle up in the car and look both ways before crossing the street, make sure they understand that water can be very dangerous; they should never go in or near a pool without a trusted adult with them.

Close supervision is a must when children are in or around a pool. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly. It’s always a good idea to have a designated guardian watch kids at all times while they’re at the pool. If several adults are present, try taking turns with “water-watching duty.” Never leave children unattended at the pool.

People of any age can drown silently and quickly, often when they’re vertical in the water with their heads tipped back. Unlike what you see in movies, children rarely splash in the water, flail their arms, or yell for help while drowning.

Typically bystanders are the first ones to help a drowning victim, so knowing CPR can help you save someone’s life before an emergency responder arrives. Learn about CPR classes and certifications at the American Red Cross.

While experts recommend four-sided fencing around a pool’s perimeter, it’s not legally required in the United States. However, law or no law, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends a four-sided fence of at least four feet in height should surround a pool on all sides, and the pool should be accessible only through a self-closing, self-latching gate. Disclosure 3 3 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, “Pool Safely: Simple Steps to Save Lives,” https://www.poolsafely.gov/parents/safety-tips/, accessed June 7, 2021.