A deep dive into pool safety rules

Pool time is a fun way to spend family time together or connect with friends. It's also a wonderful way to get exercise. But when kids are playing in or around a pool, it's important to take precautions to make sure everyone is safe.

Safety tips for when a pool is in use

Follow these 10 water safety rules to prevent pool injuries or tragedies whenever a pool is in use:

1. Assign adults to supervise the pool at all times, known as Water Watchers. Each Water Watcher commits to a 20- to 30-minute shift where they agree to focus strictly on supervising the children in and around the pool – no chatting, cell phone or distractions.
2. If you are in charge of supervising kids, maintain constant visual contact with children in the pool. Maintain touch contact (no further than an arm's length away) with all non-swimmers and young children.
3. Never leave a child alone in a pool or spa, even for a second.
4. Do not allow diving in the shallow end of the pool.
5. Keep a phone near the pool. In case of an emergency, dial 911.
6. Keep non-pool toys like big wheels, wagons and tricycles away from the pool.
7. Remove inflatable toys from the pool when not in use.
8. Don't allow swimming in an unlit pool after dark.
9. Use life jackets for kids who are not strong swimmers.
10. Keep pool safety devices nearby – like a rescue ring or a pool noodle.

How to dive into a pool safely

Most home and hotel pools are smaller and not as deep as large public pools – so they're not as safe to dive into.

Here's how to best protect yourself before you dive into a pool:

• Make sure the minimum depth is 8 feet.
• Never dive into an above-ground pool.
• Dive only into the deep end with your hands in front of you.
• Don't dive from the side of the pool.
• Don't dive or jump off a roof or building.
• Don't dive through toys.

Safety tips for when your pool is not in use

Pool safety may not be top of mind when your pool is not in use, but 15% of children who drown in North Texas do so in winter. And drowning incidents in cold weather are more likely to be fatal.

Follow these 6 pool safety tips to keep your pool safe all year long:

1. Make sure any fence gates and doors leading to the pool area are self-closing and self-latching. Make sure the latches are above a child's reach.
2. Restrict a child's access to the pool if there is not somebody who can watch them at all times.
3. Keep doors and gates locked. In addition, consider using a door alarm to alert you if a kid goes outside.
4. Use an approved pool safety cover and/or spa cover. Consider installing a pool alarm, which alerts you if anything enters the water.
5. Drain standing water from pool covers, and use rigid pool covers.
6. Keep chairs and other climbable items far away from the pool fence.

Other pool safety tips

Beyond taking these precautions to keep swimming pools safe for children, there are other ways to prevent pool accidents.

1. Teach older children how to dial 911 in case of an emergency and keep a telephone near the pool.
2. Consider swimming lessons for all children 6 months and older.
3. Assess your child's swimming ability every year.
4. Consider keeping a first aid kit on hand for minor injuries.
5. Encourage parents, babysitters, guardians and anyone over 14 to learn CPR and update their CPR skills annually. The American Red Cross provides information on signing up for a local or online CPR class.
6. Keep pool chemicals out of children's reach and follow the instructions on the labels for how long you need to wait to go in the pool after you add chemicals to it.

Learn more

The Children's Health℠ Injury Prevention team is committed to keeping your family safe. See more water safety tips or learn more about our water safety program.