By learning and adhering to a few simple safety standards, you’ll help ensure an enjoyable pool experience for you, your family and your friends.

1. Water, Water Everywhere Water is a place that we all tend to congregate – be it the swimming pool or hot tub or the local lake. Don’t let a water-based incident spoil your enjoyment. Be sure to apply these safety tips everytime you are around water.

2. Provide Proper Supervision for Children and Adults Whenever children are in or near water, competent adult supervision should always be on hand. Water is quite a draw to small children, so adults should be watchful at all times around any water element, even when swimming is not on the agenda. Never assume that flotation devices will suffice – there is no substitute for constant adult supervision. Even a child that has partcipated in swimming lessons still needs adult supervision. If you must leave the pool area, take your children with you or assign another adult with the responsibility. Additionally, no one – no matter their age – should swim alone.

3. Know How to Swim Always ask a potential user “can you/your child swim?” Never presume! Swimming lessons are the best way to bolster safety around your swimming pool and build confidence in your swimmers. Local health clubs, community health organizations, the American Red Cross and the YMCA are all great resources for swimming classes and swimming pool safety. To find a certified swim instructor in your area, consult your phone book or conduct a local search on the World Wide Web.

4. Install Proper Signage An area sign and warning signs should have been provided and installed by your pool professional. It is important to permanently display safety rules and review all rules with all of your guests prior to allowing them to enter your pool. Adherance to the rules and safety warnings will help ensure that everyone using your pool will use it safely. If you do not have safety signage and warning labels, your pool professional can assist you in aquiring the appropriate signage to go along with your pool.

5. Take Care When Entering Any Body of Water When entering any body of water, particularly one you or your guests are unfamiliar with, proceed with caution. Always enter FEET FIRST! For the pool owner, consult with your pool professional to determine applicable safety standards for diving in your pool. A person must know the depth of the water, the configuration of the bottom and the slope of the bottom before you should allow anyone to dive. If there is any doubt, do not allow your guests to dive or slide head first.

6. Avoid Harmful Drug Interactions When you gather around the pool or any body of water, don’t add anything to the mix that might impair reaction time or decision making ability – such as alcohol and/or drugs. Anything that can cause sleepiness, drowsiness or raise or lower your blood pressure should be avoided when you plan to be in or around any body of water. Even a small amount of alcohol or drugs can affect a person's judgment and increase the risk of injury around water.

7. Rely on the Pool Industry Professionals The Association of Pool & Spa Professionaals (APSP) represents companies and individuals in the swimming pool industry and is committed to safe, healthful and enjoyable use of pool industry products. The APSP provides a variety of useful tools for pool professionals and consumers, including four Web sites that promote pool fun and safety. Those sites include www.theapsp.org, www.PoolPeopleUSA.com, www.HotTubLiving.com and www.SplashZoneUSA.com (a Web site focused on educating children about pool and hot tub safety in a fun and educational way). Each of the Web sites has a wealth of information, including a number of printable materials to encourage safety.

8. Investigate Local Laws Consult your city, county or state codes or regulations for building, design and safety requirements that will mandate some modification to your pool. Contact your local pool professional to ensure you are complying with all necessary safety standards

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