Home Safety
Swimming Safety & Pool Security

According to The State of Home Safety in America™ report, drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury related death. Drowning is a silent and sudden event, and Home Safety Council research found that many drowning deaths at home are related to swimming pools. Since drowning victims often do not make any noise once in distress, constant supervision around any body of water is critical. Adopt the following guidelines from the Home Safety Council to help keep your pool area safe:

  1. Install four-sided fencing with self-locking and self-closing gates. Fencing should completely isolate the pool from the home and be least five feet high.
  2. Always keep gates closed and latched. Never prop a gate open or disable the lock.
  3. Always practice constant, adult supervision around any body of water, including pools and spas. Never leave your child alone or in the care of another child.
  4. When hosting a pool party, assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times.
  5. Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
  6. Remember that regardless of age or skill level, no one is “drown proof.” Children should always be supervised by an adult while they are swimming.
  7. Never swim alone. Even adults should swim with a buddy.
  8. Learn and practice basic lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Insist that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
  9. Keep poolside rescue equipment and a cordless, water resistant telephone close to the pool area.
  10. Post emergency numbers and CPR instructions near the pool area.
  11. Teach children that drains, grates and filters are not toys. Never stick fingers or toes in these openings and stay away from suction devices.
  12. Always remove toys from the pool area when not in use.
  13. Post safety rules in a highly visible location. Make sure children are familiar with the rules.
  14. Keep spas and hot tubs covered and locked when not in use.
  15. Completely remove pool and spa covers prior to swimming.
  16. Stay out of the pool during severe weather and thunderstorms, especially if lightning is forecast or present.
  17. If a child is missing, check the pool area first.

Pool Security and Maintenance

You should encourages basic safety precautions to avoid injuries in and around a pool or spa at home:

  1. Always practice adult supervision around any body of water. Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
  2. Install four-sided fencing that blocks direct access to the pool from the home. Four-sided pool fencing with self-latching and self-locking gates is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention.
  3. Pool fencing should be at least five feet high and have self locking and self closing gates.
  4. Position gate latches out of the reach of young children.
  5. Never prop the gate open or disable the latch.
  6. Do not leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over it.
  7. Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to prevent falls.
  8. Keep a cordless, water resistant telephone with emergency numbers posted in the pool area.
  9. Keep poolside rescue equipment close by. Equipment should include a sturdy, lightweight pole measuring at least 10-12 feet and a ring buoy with line. Do not permit children to play with these tools.
  10. Keep a life vest approved by the U.S. Coast Guard on hand. Poor and inexperienced swimmers should be required to wear a life vest while swimming.
  11. Use plastic ware instead of glassware in the pool area.
  12. As a supplemental safety precaution, consider using a pool alarm to alert you if someone falls into the pool. Recent studies show that sub surface pool alarms are most effective. These alarms are not substitutes for adult supervision of children.
  13. Keep spa and hot tub covers locked when not in use.
  14. Remove excess water from pool and spa covers.
  15. Always completely remove pool covers before swimming.
  16. Chlorine-based pool care products could be explosive and can easily combust if not handled correctly. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions when using pool chemicals and store chemicals in a dry place away from heat sources.
  17. Lock all pool chemicals in a secure cabinet out of children’s reach.

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