Home Swimming Pool & Hot Tub Safety

Home Pool & Hot Tub Safety

69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near water – learn how to reduce the risks. 69% of young children who drown were not expected to be in or near water – learn how to reduce the risks.

Top Things to Know

Secure your pool with appropriate barriers.

Designate a water watcher…and stay in arm’s reach of young children.

Install anti-entrapment drain covers and safety release systems to protect against drain entrapment.

If a child is missing, check the water first.

Invest Two Hours to Create a Safer Home Pool

Take the Home Pool Essentials: Maintenance and Safety online course and learn how to create a safer pool or spa environment.

How to Create a Safer Home Pool or Hot Tub

Secure Your Pool When Not in Use

Completely surround your pool with four-sided isolation fencing with a self-closing and self-latching gate that is out of the reach of a child.
A four-sided isolation fence (separating the pool area from the house and yard) reduces a child’s risk of drowning 83% compared to three-sided property-line fencing.
For above-ground pools, secure, lock or remove steps, ladders and anything that can be used for access (such as outdoor furniture and toys) whenever the pool is not being actively supervised by an adult.
Install a secondary barrier, such as:
- Door alarms and locks that are out of the reach of a child on all doors and windows with direct access to the pool or spa area
- Lockable covers

For further details, consult the pool barrier guidelines issued by The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Establish and Enforce Rules and Safe Behaviors

Do not enter head first unless in a pool that has a safe diving area.
Stay away from drains and other openings that cause suction.
Swim with a buddy.
Only swim when supervised by a water watcher.
Swim sober.
Supervise others sober and without distractions, such as reading or talking on or using a cell phone.

Take These Water Safety Steps

Employ layers of protection including barriers to prevent access to water, life jackets, and close supervision of children to prevent drowning.
Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.
Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help and CPR.