- Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment.
- You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least four feet high around all four sides of the pool. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
- A power safety cover that meets the standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) adds to the protection of your children but should not be used in place of a fence between your house and the pool.
- Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
- Do not let your child use air-filled "swimming aids" because they are not a substitute for approved life vests and can be dangerous.
- Anyone watching young children around a pool should learn CPR and be able to rescue a child if needed. Stay within an arm's length of your child.
- Remove all toys from the pool after use.
- After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
- Learn to swim - this includes adults and children. To enroll in a course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.
- Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so that you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency.
- Post CPR instructions and 9-1-1 or your local emergency number in the pool area.
- Never leave furniture near the fence that would enable a child to climb over the fence.
- Pool covers should always be completely removed prior to pool use.
- Never swim alone, or while under the influence of alcohol or medications.
- Never swim when thunder or lightning is present.
- To learn more about pool safety, you can purchase the video "It Only Takes a Minute" from your local Red Cross chapter.
- If a child is missing, check the pool first.