Swimming is a great way to cool off during hot Tucson summers, but keeping the kids in your pool safe has to come first. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death for children aged 1 to 4, and by following a few simple tips you can help protect the children in your care. Here are the essentials.

1. Know CPR

Knowing how to perform CPR on both adults and children means you are prepared for a worst-case scenario. You will hopefully never need it, but it is best to be ready if you do, and keeping your certification current matters.

2. Make sure your children learn to swim

Basic swimming skills are one of the strongest protections there is. Taking swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning for children aged 1 to 4 by 88 percent, so age-appropriate lessons are well worth it.

3. Always supervise children in or near the pool

Never allow children to use the pool unattended. Designate one adult to watch the kids while they swim, someone who is not doing anything else and is fully focused on the water. Rotating this responsibility between adults helps the designated watcher stay sharp.

4. Install a pool fence or cover

To keep children out of the pool when you are not supervising, install a fence, cover, or another barrier to prevent access, and add an alarm to alert you to any attempt to reach the pool area. If you only have children at your home some of the time, such as visiting grandkids, removable fences and covers let you put the barrier away when it is not needed.

5. Ensure your pool has compliant drain covers

Suction from pool or spa drains can trap a child underwater. Make sure your pool and spa have compliant drain covers, and teach children to stay away from drains.

Why it is important to stay alert

Many people believe drowning is loud and obvious, but it usually is not. A person who is drowning often makes no noise, no big splash, and no visual cues to catch someone’s attention, and it can happen quickly, in as little as 20 to 60 seconds. That is exactly why constant alertness matters whenever children are swimming. These steps are simple, but they can be lifesaving.

We build pools with your family in mind

At Pools by Design, we discuss the swimming skills and ages of everyone in your family and keep that in mind when designing and building your pool, across Tucson and Southern Arizona. Contact us to discuss your new pool.