Children are not Waterproof. Read more about our Drowning Prevention Tips.
Drowning Prevention Tips for Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs. A really useful guide that you can read here, or download for making sure that your pool is as safe as it can be for children and adults.
Safety Tips
- Never leave a child alone, or out of your eyesight, in or near a pool, spa, or hot tub—not even for a second.
- Access to the pool, spa, or hot tub should be limited by locked doors and/or gates whenever swimming cannot be supervised.
- Do not allow the use of a pool or spa, or operate it, if a suction outlet fitting is missing, broken, or loose.
- Never play or swim near suction fittings (drains). Your body or hair may be trapped, causing permanent injury or drowning.
- Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheel toys, away from the pool, spa, or hot tub. A child playing with these could accidentally fall into the water.
- Do not engage in extended breath-holding activities underwater. You may black out and drown.
- Do not allow anyone of any age to swim without a “spotter” nearby. Examples of good safety behaviour by adults are important for your children.
Drowning is a major cause of accidental death for infants and children under the age of five
Read more here, or download our brochure on Drowning Prevention that contains tips on how to help prevent these accidents.
There is no substitute for responsible adult supervision.
Pools, spas, and hot tubs are attractive to children. In the absence of responsible adult supervision children must be kept away from the pool. A fence, wall, or natural/artificial barrier should completely surround your pool, spa, or hot tub.
All gates or doors leading from the house to the pool area should have a self-closing. And, have a self-latching mechanism that protects against unauthorized entry and use. The inside latch should be 54″ (1.37 m) high, our of the reach of toddlers or young children. An alarm system for your pool, spa, or hot tub can warn you if someone has penetrated the barrier.
Check with your local government to learn their specific legal requirements concerning fencing around pools, spas, and hot tubs. You cannot be too cautious. If your pool, spa, or hot tub is indoors, lock the door to the room. Or, have a cover that locks, to keep out children.
Never swim in or use any pool or spa that has a broken or missing drain cover.
Never play in or swim near suction fittings or drains. Your body or hair can become trapped, causing permanent injury or drowning.
Do not place objects (such as chairs or tables) near the pool, spa, or hot tub fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.
Remove vegetation and other obstacles to create a clear view of the pool, spa, or hot tub from the house.
If you use a pool, spa, or hot tub cover, carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe installation, use, and maintenance. Completely remove the cover before using your pool, spa, or hot tub. And, avoid the possibility of anyone, especially a small child being trapped and drowning under the cover.
Drain any standing water from the surface of your pool, spa, or hot tub cover. An infant or small child can drown in even the smallest amount of water.
If you use any of the lightweight, floating pool, spa, or hot tub covers, be especially alert for the potential for drowning accidents. Lightweight covers are not a safety device. And, no one should ever crawl or walk on them.
Children are attracted to Pools, Spas & Hot Tubs. Keep them away in the absence of responsible adult supervision.
To find out more about drowning prevention get in touch by email enquiries@thepoolpeople.eu by phone +357 26 623 342, or by completing this short contact form below and we’ll be in touch.
Read more about the The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (“APSP”) at https://apsp.org/