Tips Highlight National Water Safety Month

Posted: May 2, 2022, 1:02 pm

We live in a beautiful area surrounded by water. In recognition of National Water Safety Month in May, here are water safety tips courtesy of the Simple Steps Save Lives program.

Learn & Practice Water Safety Skills

  • Learn how to swim and teach your child(ren) 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 when you or your family use 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
  • Maintain 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 the Pool Safety website.