Pool & Hot Tub Safety

Taking the time to ensure your children are aware of what they should do to stay safe near water is an important conversation for every family! Even if you don’t have a pool or hot tub, your child may swim in or play near a neighbor, friend, or family member’s pool. With a few simple details, you can establish rules for pool and hot tub safety that apply in any situation.

Understanding the Risks

It is unpleasant to think about, but it is important to realize that drowning in a swimming pool is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1–4. Though natural bodies of water are a much bigger risk for drowning accidents in older children, it is also the second leading cause of accidental death for children ages 5–14.

It is also important to note that a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has a much higher risk of drowning than the general population. Every child should have some knowledge of water safety. However, for children with ASD, working with a swimming instructor who understands their unique needs is extremely important.

Many factors contribute to a child’s risk for accidental drowning, but fortunately, there are also many ways we, as parents and community members, can help prevent these types of tragedies.

Physical Safety Tips for Your Home Pool & Hot Tub

If you have your own pool or hot tub at home (or you’re planning on getting one), it’s vital to implement safety measures. Be sure to understand all your local ordinances and laws that may affect how you construct and maintain your pool or hot tub.

Install Barriers

Ensure your pool is inaccessible on all sides by installing fencing or having another type of barrier, such as the side of a building. Any entrance should be child-proof. Use self-latching gates that are difficult for small children to reach, and don’t forget to include items such as door alarms and locks.

Cover the pool when it isn’t in use. The cover is far less enticing to inquisitive little eyes than the water, and it provides another protective barrier to prevent accidental encounters with the water.

Use Pool Alarms

Along with door alarms for any doors in your home or recreation area that lead directly to the pool, surface alarms and gate alarms are vital in protecting against accidents. These alarms can alert you to a potential problem in or around the pool or hot tub and reduce your response time.

Consider Drain Safety

Keep all pool and hot tub drains covered with anti-entrapment covers. Teach children to stay away from the drains and not to experiment with them to see how they work or what they can do.

Use Flotation Devices

Carefully choose the right type of US Coast Guard Certified flotation device for your child’s age and skill level, and make sure their life vest stays on when they are near the water.

Implement Hot Tub Precautions

Hot tubs can be tempting for every age, but there are a few extra hot tub safety rules you will need to consider for kids. Remember that hot tubs are unsafe for children under five, even with adult supervision. The risks of overheating and dehydration are greater in younger kids, and you may not even notice the signs of an impending problem creeping in.

If older children may be using the hot tub, take additional precautions to ensure hot tub temperature safety. Keep the water temperature below 100°F to avoid overheating, and watch for signs of dehydration.

Hot tub covers should be properly fitting, secure, and lockable. They should remain in place anytime the hot tub is not in use.

Supervision & Rules

It is important for every child to understand the basics of water safety that apply everywhere and be aware of the rules and expectations for safety at individual pools they may visit.

Designate a Water Watcher

It’s easy to get distracted by everything that goes on in and around a pool. That’s why identifying a designated watcher or “lifeguard” is important in ensuring everyone’s safety.

Take turns with other adults so that no one misses out on the fun, but don’t allow distractions while you are actively watching. That means water watchers should not use cell phones or other electronics.

Stay out of the water and in a position where the entire pool is easily visible. Save conversations, refreshments, and anything else that might divert your attention until someone else has taken over your duties.

Teach & Enforce Pool Rules

Emphasize that no rough-housing rules apply both in and out of the water. Always use the buddy system. No one should swim alone, even older kids.

Avoid running near the pool, and never push another person in or dunk them in the water. Make sure kids know that they can never dive into shallow areas of the pool.

Additional Hot Tub Safety Tips

Remember that hot tubs are not safe for very young children. Never leave any child unattended in the hot tub. Limit the amount of time older children can spend in the heated water to no more than 10 minutes.

Keep in mind that having the jets and bubbles on while younger children are in the hot tub can throw them off balance or cause uncertainty that could lead to accidents.

Neighbor Pool Awareness

Talk to your children about respecting other people’s properties and living spaces. They should never enter a neighbor’s yard or gated area without that person present and giving their direct permission.

Take the time to have open conversations about accessibility with neighbors who have pools and hot tubs. Review your expectations about supervision during playdates and hot tub use. Ask about the rules your children should be aware of before swimming in their pool.

Ensure that direct communication of permission happens on both sides before allowing a child to attend a playdate that may include pool time. If they are not allowed into the pool area, be sure that is clearly conveyed as well. Whenever possible, be present when your children are in someone else’s pool or hot tub.

Swim Lessons & Emergency Preparedness

Did you know that helping your child understand water safety can begin as early as three months? As children grow, they become more mobile and inquisitive, and it becomes even more critical that they understand important safety rules, including water safety. Starting swim lessons with your infant or toddler early is a great way to build confidence.

Lessons also establish safe practices that can lead kids toward a lifetime love of swimming and the confidence to enjoy the world around them. Teaching basic water safety to any child is a must.

Swim lessons are always a great idea for a number of reasons. Taking lessons is the best way to make sure your child is comfortable and safe when the unexpected happens. Lessons can help children learn how to float and call for help, then progress to additional skills that will help get them to safety.

Keep well-repaired rescue equipment by the swimming area and ensure a phone is nearby at all times in case of an emergency. Take the time to learn infant and child-specific CPR. Learning to help those around you only takes a few hours.

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