6 Pool Safety Tips Every Family Should Know

As the weather starts to sizzle across the country, more and more Americans will be looking to their pools and spas for refreshment and relief from the summertime heat.

But as the mercury rises, so too should our awareness of proper pool safety practices--especially if you are like me and have a young child/children around your home. We have published these U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tips in many forms over the years, but they are always worth repeating!

Six Ways to Stay Safe by the Pool

1. Since every second counts, always look for a missing child in the pool first. Precious time is often wasted looking for missing children anywhere but in the pool.
2. Don't leave toys and floats in the pool that can attract young children and cause them to fall in the water when they reach for the items.
3. Inspect pools and spas for missing or broken drain covers.
4. Do not allow children in a pool or spa with missing/broken covers. Inserting an arm or leg into the opening can result in powerful suction and total body submersion and drowning.
5. For above-ground and inflatable pools with ladders, remove or secure the ladder when the pool is not in use.
6. It is important to always be prepared for an emergency by having rescue equipment and a phone near the pool. Parents should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).