The pool and the beach are great places to learn new skills, socialize and gain valuable experience in the water. But the water is a place where safety must come first, so here are a few important tips that will help.

Top Safety Tips

1. Whether you’re swimming in a backyard pool or in a lake, teach children to swim with a partner, every time. From the start, teach children never to go near or in water without an adult present.
2. Actively supervise children in and around open bodies of water, giving them your undivided attention.
3. 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).
4. 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.
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. Install multiple drains in all pools, spas, whirlpools and hot tubs. This minimizes the suction of any one drain, reducing risk of death or injury.
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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