Here are 10 Pool Safety Tips for Parents

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s (CPSC) has launched Pool Safely campaign, and is offering some life-saving tips for parents.

This is important, since 2015 has already produced its share of tragedies: CPSC – citing media reports and data compiled by the USA Swimming Foundation – said that at least 152 children younger than 15 fatally drowned in a swimming pool or spa this year.

At least 86 of those fatal drownings have happened just since Memorial Day.

In an effort to keep these numbers as low as possible, CPSC is urging parents to follow these 10 pool safety tips:

Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim.
Install a four-foot or taller fence around the entire perimeter of the pool and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
Never leave a child unattended in or near a pool or spa and always watch your children closely around all bodies of water.
Designate a Water Watcher to supervise children in the pool or spa. This person should not be reading, texting, using a smart phone or be otherwise distracted. Adults can take turns being a Water Watcher.
If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first.
Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments.
Ensure any public pool and spa you use has drain covers that comply with federal safety requirements, and, if you do not know, ask the pool manager if the facility complies with the “VGB Act.”
Learn how to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly.
Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
Have lifesaving equipment such as a life ring, float or fiberglass reaching pole available and accessible.

We all know that kids are powerfully attracted to pools, so it’s important to take precautions.