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Home › Articles › Toddler Safety › Swimming Safely

Swimming Safely

Don't Let Summer Fun Turn Tragic

By Gwen Morrison

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Pool Wise

According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year, nationwide, about 300 children under the age of 5 drown in swimming pools. And what's most frightening is that it's usually in their own backyards.

Information gathered from SafeUsa offers key things to note if you currently have a swimming pool in your backyard.

  • Install a four-sided, isolation pool fence with self-closing and self-latching gates around the pool. The fence should be at least 4 feet tall.
  • Make sure there is a working telephone near the pool. Teach your children how to contact local emergency services.
  • After using pool toys, immediately remove them from the pool. Floating toys, beach balls and other toys often tempt children to lean into the pool.
  • Always supervise children when they are using the pool. Do not leave the area for any length of time.
  • Do not use air-filled swimming aids, such as water wings, as life-saving devices. They are not to take the place of parental supervision. Parents and children often have a false sense of security, which increases the risk of drowning. These aids can often deflate or become unplugged.
  • Have an action plan in place in case of an emergency.

Kids just want to have fun – it's the parent's responsibility to ensure that safety comes first!

More Resources on Pool Safety


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