Here is a list of critically important water safety tips. This is not an exhaustive list. We could compose a list of hundreds of safety tips, but who would remember them?. We recommend that you, your entire family, and your guests review these tips each time they are near the swimming pool.
Tip #1 – CONSTANT SUPERVISION while your child is in or around the water. There is no substitution for constant eyes on around a lake, pond, ocean, bathtub, and bucket, toilet regardless of what skills your child has acquired or depth of the body of water.
Tip #2 – Use of flotation devices provides a false sense of security to children and adults. Flotation devices could suddenly shift position, lose air, or slip out from underneath, leaving the child in a dangerous situation.
Tip #3 – Learn CPR and insist that any caregiver learn CPR.
Tip #4 – The home should be isolated from the pool with a fence at least 48” tall (minimum requirement per the National Drowning Prevention Alliance), with a self-closing, self-latching gate. The gate should open away from the pool, and should never be propped open (For more info. on pool fences, check out www.BestPoolFenceHouston.com).
Tip #5 – Doors and windows should be alarmed to alert adults when opened. All doors should be self-closing and self-latching.
Tip #6 – Keep a phone at poolside so that you never have to leave the pool to answer the phone, and can call for help if needed.
Tip #7 – If a child is missing, always check the pool first. Seconds count!
Tip #8 – Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence. Keep toys away from the pool when it is not in use.
Tip #9 – Toys can attract young children into the pool.
Tip #10 – Remove toys from in and around the pool when not in use.
Tip #11 – Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
Tip #12 – Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards, and emphasize the need for constant supervision.
Tip #13 – Everyone in your family should know how to swim. This includes parents as well. If a child falls into a pool and you can’t swim, you cannot retrieve him.
Tip #14 – DO NOT consider a child “drown proof“ because they have had swim lessons. See Tip #1 above.
Remember and practice these critically important water safety tips. Water safety is so important. It takes only a few seconds to lose or save a human life. Enjoy your summer fun!
