Water and children can be a fun, enjoyable and healthy combination as long as a few simple safety rules are followed to prevent drownings and near-drownings. Adult supervision, effective barriers and knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) will help provide a safe and fun atmosphere for you and your family.
We are strongly committed to reducing the number of drowning and near-drowning accidents so we have reprinted these helpful safety tips provided by the Florida Swimming Pool Association.
SUPERVISION
- Never take your eyes off a child when he or she is in or near any body of
- water, not even for a second.
- Do not rely solely on barriers, such as fences or walls. This is no substitute for constant supervision.
- Keep toys, tricycles, and other children’s playthings out of the water and away from the pool or spa.
- Do not consider your children to be “drown-proof” because you enrolled them in swimming or “waterproofing” classes. Do not rely on inflatable devices to keep your child afloat. These are not substitutes for adult supervision.
BARRIERS
Make sure your pool or spa area meets all necessary barrier requirements such as a fence, wall or safety cover that guards against unsupervised access, particularly by young children.
Make sure doors leading to the pool or spa area are self-closing and self-latching, or are equipped with exit alarms, and are never propped open. Gates should have self-closing, self-latching mechanisms. Latches should be out of reach of young children and kept in proper working order. Make sure the safety cover is always closed when the pool or spa is not in use.
Always drain standing (surface) water from the pool cover. Remember that even a few inches of water can be hazardous, especially to young children.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Learn how to administer lifesaving techniques to children, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Keep a cordless phone in the pool or spa area.
