ABC’s of POOL SAFETY
A – Adult Supervision – Assign a “Water Watcher”
• Assign an adult “water watcher” who can swim to specifically watch the water.
• Designate an adult to supervise the children in and around the pool/spa area especially during social gatherings.
• Never leave children in or around a pool unattended – not even for one second.
• Remove children from swimming pool/spa area for any distractions such as a telephone call or use of restroom.
• Do not rely on flotation devices. They should not be used as a substitute for adult supervision.
• Post pool address and emergency number.
B – Barriers
• Install and maintain proper fencing around the pool to isolate your swimming
area from the home and play area.
• Use multiple layers of protection such as safety covers, gate alarms, door alarms and motion-detection devices. Inspect them monthly.
• Make sure all gates are self-closing, self-latching and open outward away from the pool.
• All objects that allow a child to climb up to reach the gate latch or climb over the fence should be removed or kept inside the fenced area.
C – Classes – “CPR”
• Learn CPR, first aid and rescue techniques.
• Attain swim skills through on-going qualified instruction.
• Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook, life-saving ring and CPR sign mounted by the pool to instruct others.
• Learn proper behavior in and around the water.
What To Do If A Child Falls Into A Pool!
• Yell for help and check the scene to make sure that you can safely help the child.
• Get the child out of the pool and onto the pool deck.
• Check for consciousness by tapping and shouting, “are you okay?”
• If someone is with you, have them call 9-1-1. Determine if the child is breathing: tilt the head back, if you don’t hear or feel breathing or see the chest rising, give two (2) Rescue Breaths then check for a pulse.
Begin Rescue Breathing or CPR immediately and continue until emergency help arrives.
• If you are alone and the child is not breathing and/or does not have a pulse, start Rescue Breathing or CPR immediately. After one minute, call 9-1-1. Return to the child and continue CPR until help arrives.
Drowning Prevention Video
CPR Awareness Video