It’s National Water Safety Month

Did you know May is National Water Safety Month?

Swimming and fun aquatic activities in the pool have a great impact on both our bodies and our minds. In fact, spending time in and around water simply makes us feel better! As we round the corner to May, we want to remind you of some important water safety tips!

Water Safety Tips*

Check out these important tips for creating a safe area around your pool and/or hot tub.

Stay close, being alert and watch children in and around the 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 and pets away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapment
• 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

Learn and practice water safety skills

• It’s important that you 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 life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

Have appropriate equipment for your pool or spa

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• 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 and spa you use has compliant drain covers and 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

Safe Swimmer Pledge

One way to keep kids safe in and around the water is by asking them to sign this pledge. It helps make them aware of what they need to do to stay safe!

*Courtesy of the Simple Steps Save Lives Program