Discover and Learn More

• National Drowning Prevention Alliance NDPA
• Swimming Lessons Do Not Increase Drowning Risk in Young Children 
• Children's Safety Zone
• Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona
• Safe Kids Water Safety
• Pool Safety by the Consumer Product Safety Commission

Keeping your family safe around pools:

1. Post emergency instructions, including 9-1-1 and CPR in the pool area.
2. Have a phone available in the pool area to be used for emergencies.
3. Have life safety equipment ready to use in case of an emergency. For example, a life ring with rope and a hook.
4. Remove all toys from the pool area or any item a child would be interested in obtaining.
5. Never allow children to play in the pool area.
6. Regularly maintain your latches and springs, greasing them often.
7. Keep chairs, tables, and other furniture away from pool fences. Kids can use them to climb and gain access to the pool area.
8. If possible, place pool furniture inside pool fence.
9. Even empty buckets and play pools are dangerous: small children can drown in 2 inches of water.
10. Lock all exterior windows and doors.
11. Keep keys out of reach of children.
12. Install second lock, out of reach of children. A three or four year old can easily reach a normal height lock.
13. Lock pet doors.
14. Ensure doors are self-closing and self-latching.
15. Lock all accessible entries to yard including gates.
16. Walls & fences should not be less than 5 feet or more than 6 feet.
17. Installed fencing should be a minimum of 20 inches from water’s edge.
18. All openings to pool area require self-closing and self-latching gates.
19. Latching gates should be at least 54 inches above grade.
20. Private doors with access to pool area require self-latching and self-closing doors with locking gates 54 inches above grade.
21. All windows within 5 feet of water’s edge must be safety glass.
22. All gaps in fencing should not be more than 4 inches. In chain link fencing gaps should not be more the 1.75 inches.

Bathtub Safety:

• Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub/sink.
• Be aware of the dangers of unlocked toilets.
• Babies and toddlers are top heavy, never leave a child near a bucket, toilet, pool/spa, or any standing water body of water.
• Before you start the bath for your child, check that you have the following items with you:
  • Towel
  • Soap
  • Shampoo
  • Lotion
  • Clothes
  • Phone
• A child can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.
• Take the child with you if you must leave the room for anything.
• Drain the tub immediately when finished bathing.
• Make sure babysitters and care givers are trained in CPR.

More Information:

• Email us at watersafety@dmfd.org