Never leave children unattended at pool

NEVER, even for a split second, leave young children unattended in or around a pool. Keep a phone by the pool for emergency calls and also for answering (many drownings have occurred while the person supervising ran into the house to pick up a ringing phone).

The pool fence should completely separate the pool from the house and play area. It should also self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than the children’s reach. Do not let your child use or rely on air-filled toys and “swimming aids” such as “floaties.”

Anyone watching young children around a pool should learn CPR and be able to rescue a child if needed. Toys should always be removed from the pool after use so that young children are not tempted to reach for them.

Children should be trained in water survival from the time they are able to walk or crawl to the pool. That said, do not consider a child “drown-proof” just because he or she can swim or has had swimming lessons. If a child is missing, the pool should always be checked first, as each second counts when it comes to preventing drowning. Don’t leave the pool fence open or proper open at any time, even for a second or two.