Keep Young Swimmers Safe This Summer

Swimming pools are a quick way to cool down in the summer heat. But they can be dangerous—especially for children.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drowning the second-most common cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 14.

To keep your child safe, follow these tips:

• Never leave your child in or near a pool without an adult watching. Infants and toddlers should be in arm’s length of an adult when they are in or near the water.

• Adults on duty must not be distracted by reading or talking on a phone.

• Remove toys from the pool after everyone gets out. That way, children will not be tempted to reach for them.

• Do not use toys like water wings or noodles in place of life jackets. They are not designed to keep your child safe.

• Learn CPR. It could help you rescue a drowning child, if necessary.

• If you have a pool, fence it in. Use a fence that is at least 4-feet high. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching—and higher than your child’s reach. Keep gates closed at all times.