Water Safety Tips

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Constant supervision is the only sure way to prevent drowning.  However, on occasion supervision breaks down.  If you cannot find your child, check the pool first - seconds count. 

1. Effective Supervision: The most critical line of defense is adult supervision. No level of aquatic skill can replace active supervision. If your child is ever missing, look in the water first.

2. Never leave your child alone in the bathtub or pool - not even for a second.

3. Do not leave the pool to answer the phone - this is the foremost distraction and is commonly stated as why the baby was left unattended - for just a second.  Unfortunately, that is enough time for disaster.  Bring a portable phone to the pool, install a phone jack by the pool or ignore the call.  Your child is more important.

4. NEVER USE FLOTATION DEVICES (unless you are in open water/on a boat/river/lake/pond)! These devices lend a false sense of security to you and your child.  Studies reveal that parents whose children use flotation do not watch their children closely.  In addition, the posture these devices encourage is detrimental to learning true swimming skills that could save their life.  Simply resist the urge and DON’T DO IT!  If your family are frequent visitors to the lake or own a boat, once your child has fully completed ISR we will properly fit a lifejacket to your child and test it out to make sure it works properly for them.

5. Leave a responsible ADULT in charge of safety.  Do not delegate this task to an older sibling.  This is too much responsibility and many children have drowned with their older sibling - watching them in the pool.

6. Never assume someone else is watching your child.  If you and your spouse are by the pool delegate supervision to one person and then trade off watching every 10 – 15 minutes.

7. Every backyard pool, pond or lake should be completely fenced.  The side of the house DOES NOT count as a fourth side.   The point is there must be a barrier between your house and the pool.  Install pool fencing specifically designed to keep children out or install a permanent fence around all four sides.  Pay special attention to pet doors as children are small enough to get out the pet door.  Install high locks with chimes on every door and window and consider getting a pool alarm.  The goal is to put as many barriers as possible between your child and the pool.

8. Do not leave chairs, ladders, or other objects near the pool that would allow a child to climb the fence.

9. Make sure all windows of your house provide a clear view of the pool so you can easily spot a child who made his way to the pool unattended.

10. Survival Swimming Lessons A moment's inattention does not have to cost a child his life. ISR's Self-Rescue™ training is an added layer of protection, teaching your child water survival skills in a completely safe environment.

11. CPR: If an emergency happens, it is essential that parents and families are prepared. Learn to perform CPR on children and adults and remember to update those skills regularly.

10. Keep the pool clean.  Cloudy or murky water can be a hazard.
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11. Water levels should be 3-4 inches from the top to make climbing out easier.

Even if your child has had swimming lessons, no child is drown-proof and there is absolutely no substitute for adult supervision.