Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Warmer weather is here and that means it’s swimming season!  Swimming is a fun and popular recreational sport, but it is important to do so safely.  Before heading to the beach or pool, be sure to follow these important swimming safety tips.  This can help to ensure a safe swimming experience for all.

• Only swim in designated areas that are supervised by lifeguards. (If swimming in a pool at home, make sure the children are supervised by an adult at all times.)
• Always swim with a buddy.  You should never swim alone. 
• Always supervise children when they are near water.  Never leave a child unattended. 
• Teach children to ask for permission to go near the water. 
• Be sure that all young children or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket.  
• Maintain constant supervision.
• Avoid distractions when supervising children around the water. 
• Have appropriate equipment, such as a reaching or throwing device. 
• Teach everyone in your family how to swim and make sure they can do so independently. 
• Ensure that home pools have a safety barrier around them to prevent young children from wandering in the pool. 
• Protect your skin by wearing plenty of sunscreen or SPF swimwear.  Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00am and 4:00pm.   
• Avoid running around the pool to prevent an injury from a slip or fall. 
• Never dive into the water without knowing the depth.  
• Never swim during a storm.
• Stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. 
• Make sure there is always an adult close by that knows CPR and first-aid.
• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.  

Swimming can be a fun and relaxing activity on a hot summer day.  However, it can also be a real danger.  Every year, drowning is one of the leading causes of unintentional death in children under 14.  Even the most avid swimmers can drown.  Therefore, it is important to always follow safety rules before jumping into the water.  Summer is a great time for play, laughter, and relaxation.  Help ensure a fun and safe summer by obeying safety rules around the water.