Pool Safety Tips for Summer Fun (video)

Planning on some summer fun in the pool? Now is a good time to review some important pool safety tips.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has kicked off the summer swimming season and the third year of the Pool Safely: Simple Steps Save Lives campaign. This year, Pool Safely’s focus is on those who are most at risk of drowning, including children younger than five years old, who represent almost 75 percent of child drowning deaths.

Pool Safety Tips from Pool Safely:

Stay Close, Be Alert, and Watch 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 entrapments.
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.

Learn and Practice 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.

Have the 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 do not know.
Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order.
Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm.

Video: Simple Steps to Safer Pools

This video was produced by the National Drowning Prevention Alliance in conjunction with the CPSC.

Photo: iStockphoto/Thinkstock
Sources: PR Newswire; U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission; PoolSafely.gov

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Heather B.

3:49AM PDT on Apr 24, 2013

This was a very useful video which featured tips and guides on a swimming pool. Take care every one. :)

April 24
send a green star

Akva P.

12:30AM PDT on Sep 18, 2012

Thanks for the info. http://www.akvapark.com

September 18
send a green star

Teresa C.

9:56PM PDT on Aug 7, 2012

Thank you, Ann, for this list. Even the most safety-conscious people could use a reminder every now and then.
Too, the list is a good thing to copy and keep handy.