Provide Proper Supervision for Children and Adults
Whenever children are in or near water, competent adult supervision should always be on hand. Water is quite a draw to small children, so adults should be watchful at all times around any water element, even when swimming is not on the agenda. Never assume that flotation devices will suffice – there is no substitute for constant adult supervision. Even a child that has participated in swimming lessons needs adult supervision. If you must leave the pool area, take your children with you or assignanother adult with the responsibility. Additionally, no one – no matter their age – should swim alone.

An excellent web site for children which focuses on water safety is www.SplashZoneUSA.com. A good web source that explains proper supervision and steps to provide proper supervision for adults is www.revolutionhealth.com.

Know How to Swim
Always ask a potential user “can you/your child swim?” Never presume! Swimming lessons are the best way to bolster safety around your swimming pool and build confidence in your swimmers. Local health clubs, community health organizations, the American Red Cross (www.redcross.org/where/where/html), and the YMCA (www.ymca.net), are all great resources for swimming classes and swimming pool safety. For help finding a certified swim instructor in your area, connect to www.clubswim.com, or consult your phone book.

Install Proper Signage
Area and warning signs may be obtained from and installed by your pool professional. It is important to permanently display safety rules and review all rules with all of your guests prior to allowing them to enter your pool. Adherence to the rules and safety warnings will help ensure that everyone using your pool will use it safely. If you do not have safety signage and warning labels, your pool professional can assist you in acquiring the appropriate signage to go along with your pool.

Layers of Protection
The Association of Pool and Spa Professionals endorses a concept known as “Layers of Protection.” It involves equipping the pool or spa area with several safety devices in order to delay unsupervised access or warn of a child’s or person’s presence. Such equipment includes pool alarms, safety fencing, pool covers, and drain covers.

Take Care When Entering Any Body of Water
When entering any body of water, particularly one you or your guests are unfamiliar with, proceed with caution. The American Red Cross recommends that you always enter FEET FIRST! For the pool owner, consult with your pool professional to determine applicable safety standards for diving in your pool. You must know the depth of the water as well as the configuration and slope of the bottom before allowing anyone to dive. If there is any doubt, do not allow your guests to dive or slide head first.

Avoid Drugs and Alcohol
When you gather around the pool or any body of water, don’t add anything to the mix that might impair reaction time or decision making ability – such as alcohol and/or drugs. Anything that can cause sleepiness, drowsiness, raise or lower blood pressure, or impair thinking should be avoided when you plan to be in or around any body of water. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect a person’s judgment and increase the risk of injury around water.

Rely on the Pool Industry Professionals
The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) (www.theapsp.org) represents companies and individuals in the swimming pool industry and is committed to safe, healthful, and enjoyable use of pool industry products. The APSP provides a variety of useful tools for pool professionals and consumers, including web sites that promote pool fun and safety.

Those sites include www.HotTubLiving.com and www.PoolPeopleUSA.com. Each of the web sites has a wealth of information, including a number of printable materials to encourage safety.

Investigate Local Laws
Consult your city, county, or state codes or regulations for building, design, and safety requirements that will mandate some modification to your pool. Contact your local pool professional to ensure you are complying with all necessary safety standards.