Tips Highlight National Water Safety Month

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.