Pool Safety Tips and Resources
Child drownings are the leading cause of preventable death for Arizona children.
Most child drownings, fatal and non-fatal, happen between the ages of 2 and 5, and occur in a backyard pool.
Drownings are LIGHTNING FAST and SILENT.
Adult Supervision
A sober and alert adult must always be with children around water.
The adult must watch swimmers with their eyes and not be doing anything else! They shouldn’t be reading, talking on the phone, or doing chores like yard work or washing the car.
Distraction can be deadly.
Barriers are Lifesavers
A barrier is something that keeps you away from danger. A pool barrier means a fence around a pool with a self-closing self-latching lockable gate. Other barriers include pool cover nets and self-closing, lockable doors leading to the pool area.
Know the Rules
Anyone who does not know how to swim must wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket. Floaties or puddle jumpers are toys and do not count as a life jacket. Everyone should learn how to swim! Older kids and adults should take CPR classes so they know what to do in case of an emergency.
Do not allow children to play in or around the pool area.
Mount life saving devices near the pool.
Keep tables, chairs and ladders away from pool fences.
Barriers are required between doggie doors and the pool area.
Have a phone available near the pool area.
ADULTS should never swim alone! Buddy Up
If you find a child in any source of water…
Yell for help and pull the child out of the water.
Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately!
Begin CPR if you are trained.
If you are not trained to administer CPR, follow the instructions from the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.
Want to learn more about child drownings, or get involved in the effort to keep children safe in your community?
Contact the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Central Arizona today.