Swimming Pools – Facts & Safety

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warns that unless parents and adults do a better job of watching children around pools, over 300 children in the United States, under the age of five years will drown in pools this year.

Drowning in residential pools is the second leading cause of accidental death around the home to children under five years of age. CPSC also reported that 4200 children under the age five are treated each year in hospital emergency rooms for submersion and near-drowning accidents in backyard pools.

CPSC urges pool owners to adopt the following safety practices:

  • Constantly keep your eyes on young children while at the pool;
  • Never leave young children alone in or around the pool;
  • If you leave, even for a few seconds, take the children with you.
  • Avoid confusion by always assigning one adult to watch young children who are in and around the pool.
  • Know how to administer CPR to a drowning victim before rescue help arrives.

Ensure you are up to date with your First Aid knowledge and prepare yourself for when an emergency arises.

Pools, spas, and hot tubs are attractive to children, and children must be kept away from them in the absence of responsible adult supervision.

Safety Tips for Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs

Pools, spas, and hot tubs are attractive to children, and children must be kept away from them in the absence of responsible adult supervision.

Safety Tips

  • Never leave a child alone or out of your eyesight in or near the pool, spa, or hot tub—not even for a second.
  • Access to the pool, spa, or hot tub should be limited by locking doors and/or gates whenever swimming or soaking cannot be supervised.
  • Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheel toys, away from the pool, spa, or hot tub. A child playing with these could accidentally fall into the water.
  • Do not allow anyone of any age to swim without a “spotter” nearby. Examples of good safety behavior by adults are important for your children.
  • Always make sure there is ADULT SUPERVISION WITH NO DISTRACTIONS.

Drowning is one of the largest causes of accidental death for American infants and children under the age of five.

Parents should know that adult supervision is the primary way to prevent accidents. They should maintain constant visual contact with children whenever they are near, or could get near, any body of water. Unfortunately, most accidents occur when there is a lapse in supervision, even for a short time.

Drowning Prevention Tips

for Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs

  • There is no substitute for responsible adult supervision.
  • Pools, spas, and hot tubs are attractive to children, and children must be kept away from them in the absence of responsible adult supervision. A fence, wall, or natural/artificial barrier should completely surround your pool, spa, or hot tub. All gates or doors leading from the house to the pool area should have a self-closing and self-latching mechanism that protects against unauthorized entry and use. The inside latch should be 54″ high, above the reach of toddlers or young children. Also, an alarm system for your pool, spa, or hot tub can warn you, if someone has penetrated the barrier.
  • Check with your state or local government to learn their specific legal requirements concerning fencing around pools, spas, and hot tubs. You cannot be too cautious. If your pool, spa, or hot tub is indoors, lock the door to the room or have a cover that locks, to keep out children.
  • Do not place objects (e.g., chairs or tables) near the pool, spa, or hot tub fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.
  • Remove vegetation and other obstacles to create a clear view of the pool, spa, or hot tub from the house.
  • If you use a pool, spa, or hot tub cover, carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe installation, use, and maintenance. Always completely remove the cover before using your pool, spa, or hot tub to avoid the possibility of anyone—especially a small child—being trapped and drowning under the cover.
  • Drain any standing water from the surface of your pool, spa, or hot tub cover. An infant or small child can drown in even the smallest amount of water.