- Pool safety begins with good supervision on the part of a parent or caregiver. Never let your children go into the pool on their own without a responsible adult. Even if your child is a good swimmer, they could still need help from an adult. The supervising adult should know CPR in the case of emergency. Use your arm as a unit of measurement while playing at the pool--while in the water, your child should never be more than an arm's length away from you, should you have to quickly help. In fact, many public pools have adopted this philosophy as a rule.
- If you have a pool at your home, take precautionary measures to protect your children from the pool when you aren't around. Curious children may try to slip outdoors to explore the pool on their own. It is necessary that you install a fence with a latch and a lock around the pool so children cannot enter the pool area without you there. Invest in a motion detector or alarm system that can be engaged when you aren't outside, so you can hear immediately if a child has entered the pool area. A safety cover should also be employed to cover the pool when it is not being used.
- Teach your children to respect the pool by signing them up for swimming lessons or hiring a private instructor to come to your home. Swimming lessons not only teach children how to swim, but also teach them to respect the water by not running or roughhousing near the water, as well as what to do in an emergency situation. Enforce rules with your children that you are comfortable with, such as not going into the water past a certain body part, like a belly button or nipple, and always making sure they can see their guardian. These rules will keep them safe in the pool, even if your children are less than thrilled with them.
