1. Designate a water watcher… and stay in arm’s reach of young children.

2. If a child is missing, check the water first.

3. Ensure a safety floatation device is in place before each new stay, and that it is visibly positioned near your pool for quick access in an emergency.

4. PAY ATTENTION TO THE WATER Depth OF THE POOL, AND AVOID  shallow-water diving.

5. Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency : able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.

6. Know what to do in a water emergency – including how to help someone in trouble in the water safely, call for emergency help : Call 911 for assistance , and have a look on CPR steps.

Recognize the signs of someone in trouble and shout for help. A swimmer needs immediate help if they:

• Are not making forward progress in the water. 

• Are vertical in the water but unable to move or tread water. 

• Are motionless and face down in the water.

• Rescue and remove the person from the water (without putting yourself in danger).

• Ask someone to call emergency medical services (EMS). If alone, give 2 minutes of care, then call EMS. 

• Begin rescue breathing and CPR. 

• Always swim with a buddy. 

• Don’t use alcohol or drugs (including certain prescription medications) before or while swimming, diving or supervising swimmers.

Swimming is a great recreational sport that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. But it’s important to know how to be safe while you’re in the water. The American Red Cross offers these important swimming safety tips you should be aware of before you head out to the pool or beach:

•  Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. 

• Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.

• Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone. 

• Maintain constant supervision. 

• Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses. 

• Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time. 

• Avoid distractions when supervising children around water. 

• If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. 

• Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit. 

• Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number. 

• Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15. 

• Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them

• Enroll in Red Cross home pool safety, water safety, first aid and CPR/AED courses to learn how to  prevent and respond to emergencies.

• The Most Dangerous Locations Vary by Age.

• Children younger than 1 year old are more likely to drown at home. 

• For children younger than 5, 87% of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs.

• Most take place in pools owned by family, friends or relatives. 

• After pools, bathtubs are the second leading location where young children drown.