acidwash (1)

Tips For Parents:

  • Teach your children how to swim. We recommend having your child in swimming lessons by age 4. It is a life skill.
  • Teach children how to tread water, float, and get out of the pool.
  • For those who are not strong swimmers, coast guard-approved flotation devices should be required. Do not rely on “water wings” or other inflatable toys.
  • Be aware that teaching your children to swim with a life jacket on will give them a false sense of security.
  • Don’t rely on water wings or other inflatable toys. If your child can’t swim, stay within an arm’s reach.
  • Take a class in First Aid and CPR (for infants, children, and adults).
  • Teach children not to play with or around pool or hot tub drains and drain covers.
  • If you see a drain cover that is loose, broken or missing, do not enter the pool and notify the owner/operator.
  • Tie up long hair securely to protect from drain entanglement.
  • Never take your eyes off of children in the pool — even for a moment!
  • If you’re in a group, appoint a designated “water watcher,” taking turns with other adults.
  • Empty smaller backyard pools when not in use.
  • While supervising, stay alert and avoid distractions like reading or the telephone.
  • If house forms a side of the pool barrier, install alarms on the doors that lead to the pool area.
  • Never dive in to water less than nine feet deep.
  • Keep gates to the pool area latched.
  • Use a safety cover on larger backyard pools when they are not in use.
  • Keep toys away from the pool when the pool is not being used since toys can attract children to the pool area.
  • Make sure water of any pool/spa is clear.
  • You should always be able to see the bottom of a pool or spa. If you can’t, inform the owner/operator.
  • Look for lifesaving equipment by the pool.

For more information on drowning and entrapment, please click here.