It is important to keep children safe around the pool. This can prevent swimming pool related injuries.
Drowning is the most common cause of death in children ages 1 to 4. Drowning is also the second most common cause of death from unintentional injuries in children 5-14 years old.1 Children with autism are at higher risk for drowning (for more information and safety tips for children with autism, check out this article on autism safety).2 The good news is there are many ways to prevent pool-related injuries. Keep children safe this summer and all year long with these tips.
Start with Physical Barriers: The First Line of Defense
One of the best ways to protect children from pool-related injuries is physical barriers. They prevent kids from entering the pool without an adult.
Pool Fences and Covers
A fence should go all the way around the pool. A fence around the pool makes it less likely that a child will drown.3 Make sure the fence has a self-closing, self-latching closure. It should be at least 4 feet tall. There should not be any openings larger than 4 inches.3 Pool covers and safety tarps can help prevent accidental falls into the water when the pool is not in use. However, covers should never replace fencing and supervision.
Doors and Alarms
Doors to the backyard should always be locked. This can prevent children from entering the pool without supervision. Alarm systems on doors, windows, or the pool are also helpful safety measures.4 Pool alarms are safety devices that make loud noises if a child falls into the pool. They can quickly alert nearby adults to a possible emergency.
Ladders and Storage
If the pool is above ground, ladders should always be removed and locked when not in use.3 Inflatable kiddie pools can be dangerous, especially for young children. These pools should always be emptied, deflated, and stored away after use to prevent accidental drowning.
It is important that multiple physical barriers are in place all the time to keep children safe.
Add a Second Safety Layer: Skills and Supervision
Physical barriers are important, but they are not enough on their own. Personal safety measures are important too. These include swim lessons for children and adult supervision.
Swim lessons
Swim lessons can help prevent drowning.6 All children should take lessons when they are developmentally ready. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends starting these at one year old.5 Still, swim lessons do not make a child “drown-proof.” Other safety steps are needed to prevent accidents.
Active Adult Supervision
An alert adult supervising pool time is essential. Always watch children closely when they are near water. When young children swim, an adult should be in the pool within arm’s length of them. This is called “touch supervision.”7
Adult supervisors should avoid distractions such as phones or conversations. They should not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol and should make sure that another adult can take over their role when breaks, such as to go to the bathroom, are required.3
During larger gatherings, it may be wrongly assumed that another adult is supervising pool time. It is helpful to assign and name a designated “water watcher.” Their only job should be to watch the children in and around the water.4 Water watchers can also help enforce pool safety rules, such as no running near the pool.
Be Ready: Know What to Do in an Emergency
Even with safety steps in place, emergencies can happen. Being prepared can save a life. All parents and caregivers should learn CPR. Beginning CPR as early as possible can help increase the chance that children survive after drowning.3 To sign-up for CPR classes in Miami-Dade, visit this link. It is also very important to call 911 immediately. Always keep a phone nearby when children are swimming.
Big Ideas
It is important to protect against pool related accidents, including drownings. Always use fences, which should be locked before and after swim time. Have a designated adult supervise. Swim classes can help make children a stronger swimmer. Lastly, be prepared in the case of an emergency. No single step can prevent drowning, but taking some simple steps today can help keep children safe all year long.
For more information on pool safety, you can also call the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, a program of Jackson Hospital and University of Miami funded by the Children’s Trust at 305-243-9080 or visit www.injuryfree.org.
- Citations
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Drowning risk factors. CDC.gov
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023, March 29). Keep kids with autism safe from wandering: Tips from the AAP. HealthyChildren.org
- Denny, S. A., Quan, L., Gilchrist, J., McCallin, T., Shenoi, R., Yusuf, S., Weiss, J., & Hoffman, B. (2021). Prevention of drowning. Pediatrics, 148(2), e2021052227. doi.org
- American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Pool dangers: Drowning prevention when not swimming. HealthyChildren.org
American Academy of Pediatrics. (n.d.). Swim lessons. HealthyChildren.org - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Drowning prevention. CDC.gov
- Szpilman, D., et al. (2022). Drowning. New England Journal of Medicine, 386, 1561–1572.
