9 Pool Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

With the summer season fast approaching, one way to keep your kids entertained and active is through swimming. It's an ideal choice to keep your kids entertained and fit simultaneously. The best part is you can also join in the fun with them.

6 Pool Safety Tips Every Parent Should Know

However, as exciting as the activity can be, it also has a fair share of risk associated with it. You might have heard about drowning incidents that scare you from taking your kids to the nearby pool. Well, these incidents might be true, but timely precautions will prevent mishaps.

The best way to enjoy your pool time is by opting for safety precautions. Remember, your kids are your responsibility, and keeping them safe should be your priority.

Here are a few safety tips for maintaining your child's safety around a pool.

Get Your Pool Checked by an Expert

If you have a pool in your home or vicinity, make sure it’s checked by a professional. From its condition to the fencing and electrical components, these experts make sure everything is secure and safe for use.

Accidents don't happen when you're careful. According to professionals at Leak Science, a leak detection company, “It’s necessary to fix leaks and ensure the pool is in optimum condition for use.” Pool experts can conduct additional inspections to ensure the water condition is suitable and that there are no loose screws posing hazards. It’s easy for bathing suits to get stuck in a loose screw which would trap the swimmer and cause possible drowning.

Hire an expert to check the conditions of a pool before exposing your kids to it.

Establish and Enforce Pool Rules

While supervision is vital, following pool rules is another key way to protect your child from accidents. Every public pool has a set of rules designed to keep families safe — and it’s important to understand and respect them. These rules aren’t “unnecessary” or “too strict”; they’re in place to keep your child and others safe.

Teach your child early on about pool rules, both at home and in public spaces, such as:

- No running on pool decks.
- No swimming alone.
- No diving in shallow water.
- Wearing required floatation or swimming gear.
- Respecting any age restrictions or equipment limitations.

Consistently reinforcing these rules helps build a strong understanding of water safety. Encourage your child to respect these boundaries every time they’re in or near the water — it can make the difference between a fun day and a serious accident.

Learn CPR and Rescue Techniques

Being a parent means being prepared to handle emergencies, especially when it comes to water safety. In moments like these, staying calm and acting quickly can make all the difference. If your child is in trouble, whether it’s a near‑drowning or another medical crisis, panicking won’t help. The calmer you stay, the better your chance of finding a solution and saving your child’s life.

One of the best ways to be prepared is to learn CPR and basic rescue techniques. Consider taking a class offered by a local hospital, community center, or Red Cross chapter. These courses will teach you how to respond effectively while you wait for medical help to arrive. In an emergency, knowing basic CPR and first aid can be the difference between tragedy and a successful rescue.

In addition to knowing medical procedures, keep a charged phone by your side. That way, you can call for professional help in time.

Learn Swimming for Your Kids

Parents should try to learn to swim for their kid's benefit, especially if their children are in the age bracket of one to four. You could keep them company and protect them from unwanted dangers. These kids are too young to understand anything and are at a higher risk of drowning. Therefore, being a responsible parent, try to accompany them in the pool. Whether you're going to a community pool or planning to swim in your backyard pool, always join your kids. Letting them swim alone is never safe.

Most pools have lifeguards, but if there isn't one on duty, your swimming lessons could come in handy and save kids from harm.

Invest in Swim Lessons

One of the best ways to protect your child in and around the water is by teaching them how to swim. Formal swim lessons build water confidence, teach essential survival skills, and give kids a strong foundation for a lifetime of safe swimming.

If your child is between the ages of one and four, consider learning to swim yourself so you can accompany them in the water and respond quickly in an emergency. Young children are too small to understand water dangers, making it vital for a parent or caregiver to be right beside them every time they’re in the pool — whether it’s a community pool or your own backyard. Never let them swim alone, regardless of their skill level.

Use Coast Guard–Approved Life Jackets

In addition to lessons, always use a Coast Guard–approved life jacket when your child is near water — especially if they’re inexperienced or you’re in open water environments like lakes or the ocean. Unlike inflatable toys or “floaties,” Coast Guard–approved life jackets are tested and designed to save lives. They fit snugly, keep a child’s head above water, and greatly reduce the risk of drowning when used properly.

Remember, even if a pool has a lifeguard, that doesn’t replace the need for a properly fitted life jacket and vigilant adult supervision.

Use the Right Pool Safety Equipment and Barriers

Keeping your child safe in and around the pool takes more than just watching — it also means having the right equipment and barriers in place. At home, consider adding multiple layers of protection, such as:

- Fences at least four feet high with self-closing, self‑latching gates.
- Pool alarms that sound if someone enters the water.
- Surface or subsurface motion detectors for added safety.
Remember, barriers and alarms aren’t a replacement for supervision, but they’re valuable tools that can help prevent accidents before they happen.

In addition, making sure your child has the right safety equipment in the water is just as important. Devices like water wings, inner tubes, and floaters can provide vital support and help prevent drowning. However, many kids treat these safety tools like toys, so it’s up to you as a parent to make sure they’re used properly. Keep all safety equipment in good condition, and have it ready whenever your child is in or near the pool.

Stay Focused and Maintain Active Supervision

Even if your child knows how to swim, active supervision is still the best line of defense against drowning. It only takes a few seconds for a child to move from the shallow end to the deep end of the pool — and drowning is often quick and silent.

Parents often assume that simply being near the pool is enough, but that’s not the case. Getting distracted by a phone, a long conversation, or a quick glance away can make all the difference. Instead, put your phone down and stay within an arm’s reach of young or inexperienced swimmers.

By keeping your attention on your child’s movements, you’ll be able to respond immediately if they slip beneath the surface — whether it’s calling for help or jumping in to save them. Your focus could save a life.

The Color of Your Child’s Swimsuit Matters

It might seem like a purely fashion choice, but the color of your child’s bathing suit can play a huge role in their safety. Bright, neon colors like yellow, orange, or hot pink are much more visible underwater and in low-light conditions. These vivid shades can help a child stand out against the blue or green of a pool, making it easier for you, lifeguards, and others to spot them quickly.

On the other hand, colors like blue, green, gray, or pastel shades can blend in with the water or the pool floor, making a child harder to locate if they’re submerged or struggling. Choosing a bright, contrasting swimsuit is an easy but effective way to add an extra layer of safety every time your child enters the water.

What to Do in an Emergency: A Quick Checklist

If an accident happens, knowing how to respond quickly and calmly can save a life. Here’s what you can do:

✅ Get the child out of the water immediately. ✅ Check for breathing and responsiveness.
✅ Call 911 right away.
✅ Perform CPR if the child is not breathing (and you’re trained).
✅ Have someone locate and use an AED if available.
✅ Continue CPR until help arrives.

Remember, moments matter in a water emergency — acting quickly and decisively can make all the difference.

Nanny to Mommy