Water safety tips
n Supervise children when in or around the water. Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the bath and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision” — being close enough to reach the child at all times.
n Teach children to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning. However, even when children have had formal swimming lessons, they still need constant, careful supervision when in or around bodies of water.
n Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Using CPR can save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive.
n Don’t use air-filled or foam toys as safety devices. “Water wings,” “noodles” or inner tubes are no substitute for life jackets in keeping young swimmers safe.
n Don’t drink alcohol while supervising children in or near water.
n Pool fences should be four-sided and stand at least 4 feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward with latches that are out of reach of children. The CDC also recommends other barriers, including alarms and automatic door locks.
n After using the pool, immediately clear the water and deck of floats, balls and toys so children aren’t tempted to enter the area unsupervised.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: