House and Home

Pool Safety Precautions

Never leave children unattended. Even teenagers should be supervised and reminded safety rules.
Always keep a portable phone, shepherd's hooks and life rings near the pool.
If a child is missing, check the pool first.
Always use a pool cover when the pool is not in use. Keep keys for automatic covers away from children and teenagers.
Always keep pool entrances locked and inaccessible to children. Consider installing door, window and gate alarms.
Regularly test door and gate latches and any alarm devices.
Never set climbable objects and structures near the pool fence.
Always store or lock ladders to above-ground pools when not in use.
Never mix alcohol and drugs with swimming. Remind teenagers of the dangers of swimming while intoxicated.
When children or inexperienced swimmers are in the pool, always keep the rope line attached to indicate where the deep end begins to drop off.
Provide children over 5 years of age with swimming lessons. But don't assume an instructed child is safe from drowning.
Instruct all swimmers on correct diving techniques and proper slide use.
Regularly check the drain cover for cracks and loose screws.
Tie up long hair to decrease the possibility of hair entanglement in the pool's drain system.
Adults and teenagers should be trained yearly in CPR and other life-saving techniques.
Post a set of rules and discuss them regularly with your children. Inform your guests of the rules before they enter the pool and be prepared to enforce consequences if rules are not followed.