Many drowning incidents involve swimming pools and spas. Drowning is a silent and sudden event. Nationwide, 300 children under the age of five die each year in swimming pools, and 2,000 more are taken to emergency rooms with pool-related injuries. Adopt the following guidelines to help keep your pool area safe.

• Always practice constant adult supervision around any body of water. Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
• Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the home. Four-sided pool fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention.
• Position gate latches out of the reach of young children.
• Never prop the gate open or disable the latch.
• Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to prevent falls.
• Keep a cell phone or cordless, water-resistant telephone in the pool area and post emergency numbers near the pool area.
• Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor. Pediatricians recommend that children ages 5 and older learn how to swim.
• Knowing how to swim does not make a child drown-proof. Flotation devices are not a substitute for supervision.
• Never swim alone. Even adults should always swim with a buddy.
• Learn and practice the basic lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR.
• Insist that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.
• Remove toys from around the pool when they are not in use.
• Instruct babysitters and visitors about the "rules of the pool."

Download our water safety tips (PDF).