We live in a beautiful area surrounded by water. In recognition of National Water Safety Month in May, here are some water safety tips courtesy of the Simple Steps Save Lives program:
Learn and practice water safety skills
- Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
- Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly.
- Understand the basics of lifesaving so you can assist in a pool emergency.
Stay close; be alert in and around a pool
- Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa, and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water.
- Teach children basic water safety tips.
- Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
- Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa.
- If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.
- Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors.
Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa
- Install a 4-foot or taller fence around your pool or spa, and use self- closing and self-attaching gates. Ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
- Install and use a lockable safety cover.
- If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
- Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water.
- Ensure any pool or spa you use has compliant drain covers. Ask your pool service provider if you don’t know.
- Keep pool and spa covers in good working order.
- Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm.
For more tips for pool and spa owners, visit PoolSafely.gov.