Five Steps to a Safer Pool and Spa

In 2013:
– 200+ children ages 1-14 drowned in a swimming pool or spa.1
– 143 of those children were under the age of 5.2
USE AND STORE
CHEMICALS
PROPERLY
ALWAYS SUPERVISE KIDS
USING THE POOL
Mishandling of pool chemicals
causes 4,000 emergency room
visits each year.5
Establish and enforce rules for pool and spa use.
– Replace pool chemicals past
their expiration dates.
– Don’t allow kids to run or play games near a pool/spa.
– Read and follow the
manufacturer’s instructions.
– Make sure you know if anyone using your pool cannot swim.
– Keep toys, particularly wheeled toys, away from pool/spas.
– Store chemicals out of reach
of children.
USE POOL ALARMS
Most young children who drown in pools were out of sight less
than five minutes.4 In addition to a fence, consider a certified
pool alarm like one of the following:
– Wristband (worn on a child’s wrist to alert parents if they
fall into the water)
– Surface wave sensor (floats on water surface)
– Sub-surface disturbance sensor (mounted to the pool wall)
DON’T FORGET THE
POOL/SPA COVER
Within 10-20 seconds, a partiallyremoved pool/spa cover could return to
it's original position, hiding someone
underneath.6
PAY ATTENTION TO DRAIN COVERS
– Remove covers completely before
using a pool or spa.
Between 2008 and 2012, 39 people were trapped in pool/spa drains
including 2 children who died.3
– Between uses, drain any standing
water from the cover surface,
especially after rain.
– Make sure your drain cover meets current Pool & Spa Safety Act
requirements (i.e. certified to ANSI/APSP 16 or ANSI/ASME A112.19.8).
– Don’t let anyone play on or near drains.
– Make sure drain covers are properly installed (no loose/missing screws).
– Know where the emergency shut-off switch is located and how to use it.
NSF INTERNATIONAL – THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY ORGANIZATION
4-5
SOURCES: 1-3 Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 6 Foundation for Aquatic Injury Prevention