Whether you’re in the backyard, at the beach or at a community swimming pool, keep your toddler safe by following these simple tips.

Top Safety Tips

1. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm’s reach to provide active supervision. We know it’s hard to get everything done without a little multitasking, but this is the time to avoid distractions of any kind. If your child is near water, then he or she should be the only thing on your mind. Small children can drown in as little as one inch of water.
2. Every child is different, so enroll your child in swimming lessons when you feel he or she is ready. Teach children how to tread water, float and stay by the shore.
3. We know you have a million things to do but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind – and the more peace of mind you have as a parent, the better.
4. Remember that things such as water wings, noodles and other swimming aids are fun toys for kids, but they should never be used in place of a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device (PFD).
5. A swimming pool is a ton of fun for you and your kids. Make sure backyard pools have four-sided fencing that’s at least 4 feet high and a self-closing, self-latching gate to prevent a child from wandering into the pool area unsupervised.
6. When using inflatable or portable pools, remember to empty them immediately after use. Store them upside down and out of children’s reach.
7. Install a door alarm, a window alarm or both to alert you if a child wanders into the pool area unsupervised.

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