Water You Waiting For?

It’s starting to heat up, pools are opening and everyone’s ready to jump in!  Before the fun begins, please ensure you follow a few simple steps to make safety a top priority.  It only takes a moment for tragedy to strike.  Don’t let the fun end before the summer does.

Water Safety Tips courtesy of the “Simple Steps Save Lives” Program

1. Staying close, being alert and watching children in and around the pool
-Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
-Teach children basic water safety tips
-Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapment
-Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
-If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
-Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

2. Learning and practicing water safety skills
-Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
-Learn to perform CPR on children and adults and update those skills regularly
-Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

3. Having appropriate equipment for your pool or spa
-Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools
-Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
-If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
-Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
-Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers and ask your pool service provider if you don’t know.
-Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
-Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm

For more tips for pool and spa owners, visit PoolSafely.gov