Water Safety

Always watch children around water!

• This includes play-pools, bathtubs, buckets, toilets, retention basins and canals.
• If you leave the area, take the child(ren) with you.
• Children can drown in as little as 2 inches of water.
• Drowning is SILENT. You must keep kids in direct sight.

Adults can drown too!

• Never swim alone.
• Never swim under the influence of alcohol or medications.

Pool Safety 

• Assign at least one capable adult who knows how to swim and perform CPR in case of an emergency to be a water watcher. A water watcher must:
  •  put away all distractions, such as electronic devices and books.
  •  actively watch those in their care, being sure to scan the area and keep count of everyone in the group, not just children.
  • scan the bottom of the pool before leaving and lock the pool gate.

• Have life safety equipment ready to use in case of emergency (life ring or hook).
• Anyone who does not know how to swim must wear a Coast Guard approved lifejacket. Floaties are toys and do not count as a life vest.
• Post emergency instructions in pool area, including 911 and CPR information.
• Ensure all doors and gates to the pool area are self-closing and self-latching and never prop them open.  
• Lock all doors, windows and pet doors leading to the pool area.
• Never allow children to play in the pool area.
• Remove toys or items from the pool area a child would be interested in obtaining. 
• Place outdoor furniture inside the pool fence to keep children from climbing to access the pool area. 

Bathtub Safety

• Never leave a child unattended in a bathtub/sink.
• Be aware of the dangers of unlocked toilets.
• Babies and toddlers are top heavy; never leave a child near a bucket, toilet, pool/spa or any standing body of water.
• Before you start the bath for your child, check that you have everything you need, including: towel, soap, shampoo, lotion, clothes, phone.   
• Drain the tub immediately when finished bathing.
• Make sure babysitters and caregivers are trained in CPR.

Learn More

• Drowning Prevention Coalition of Arizona
• National Drowning Prevention Alliance NDPA
• Children's Safety Zone
• Safe Kids Water Safety
• Pool Safety by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
• I Remember drowning prevention campaign 
• Pool & spa access regulations(PDF, 833KB)

• Schedule a Water Safety Class
• Swimming Lessons

• Non-Certified CPR Class/Free Lifesaver Class