Safety Tips for Your Backyard Swimming Pool

Many parents assume that children are the safest in their backyard. In reality, backyard swimming pools can be dangerous without the proper safety precautions. 

The good news: Most drownings can be prevented.

Drowning Facts & Statistics

Backyard swimming pools can be a lot of fun, but they can also be dangerous without safety measures in place. Here are swimming pool facts and statistics that everyone should know!

• Drowning can happen quickly and quietly anywhere there is water, especially to unsupervised children.
• 23% percent of child drownings happen during a family gathering near a pool.
• For children aged 1–4, 87% percent of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs, including pools owned by family or friends.
• A four-sided isolation fence completely separating the pool area from the house and yard reduces a child’s risk of drowning by 83%. 

Swimming Pool Safety Tips Everyone Should Know

Follow these tips to stay safe around backyard pools!

• Never leave children unsupervised around ANY pool, and ALWAY ensure there is a Water Watcher on duty! 
• Remind children that they are NOT to go near any pool or body of water without permission from an adult.
• Remember, you’re responsible for the safety of children visiting your home!
• DO NOT rely on water wings or any other inflatable flotation device to save a child in a water emergency.
• Always empty baby/inflatable pools after use. Children can drown in less than 2 inches of water. 
• Ensure that all toys are removed after use to avoid children reaching in for them.
• Cover above-ground pools when they are not in use, and lock or take down any ladders.  
• Fence your yard with a proper latch or lock.
• DO NOT allow any horseplay, breath-holding games, or dunking in your pool. 
• Ensure that everyone knows NOT to dive headfirst.

(Click infographic to enlarge.)