Public Education - Fire Prevention Safety Documents

Drowning Prevention

• Never leave your child alone or out of sight while he/she is in or near a pool.

• Children under the age of three should be kept within arm's reach of an adult while in the pool.

• Keep a phone poolside so you won't have to leave children unsupervised to make or answer a call.

• Always use approved personal flotation devices, rather than inflatable toys, to keep your child afloat.

• Do not consider children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons.

• Prohibit diving in shallow water and in all above ground pools. Diving into shallow water can result in cervical spine injuries causing permanent paralysis.

• Stay out of the water during a thunderstorm.

• Look in the pool area first, if a child is missing.

• Communicate pool safety rules with baby-sitters and guests.

• Know how to swim, proper rescue techniques and CPR.

If you uncover an unconscious child in the pool, follow these steps:

• Remove the child from the water and place onto the deck area.

• If someone is with you, have him or her call 9-1-1.

• Determine if the child is breathing: tilt the head back; if you don't hear breathing or see the chest rising, begin CPR until emergency help arrives.

• If you are alone and the child is not breathing, start CPR. After one minute, call 9-1-1. Return to the child and continue CPR until help arrives.

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