Pool & Water Safety

​Did You Know?
90% of drownings occur when a child walks out the door without anyone noticing.
The majority children who drowned walked out of their home out through the sliding glass door! 
1-3 year olds are the most likely to drown!

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages one to four in Broward County.
Drowning is preventable!

A majority of toddler drowning fatalities occur because of a brief lapse in supervision within the home or play area of the yard.

Drowning Prevention Checklist

• Never leave children unsupervised in or around a body of water - even for a moment. Children can drown in as little as two inches of water in less than one minute.
• Install and use pool barriers, including a fence surrounding water with a self-closing gate that locks or a secured pool cover that remains in place at all times that the pool is not in use.
• Alarm every door leading to water to alert you if a child has gone outside. Ensure alarms for doors and windows leading to pool are activated.
• Teach children water and swimming skills. Learn to swim - swimming skills reduces the risk of drowning, especially for children ages 1 to 4.
• During pool parties or family beach gatherings, designate an adult to watch the children. Constant adult supervision by an adult who knows how to swim.
• Remove any toys that may attract children to the pool area.
• Install a pool cover to securely cover the water area.
• Install a poolside, cordless phone.
• Keep lifesaving equipment - a pole, life preserver and rope - in the pool area.
• Children with long hair should have it back in a ponytail.
• Avoid keeping water in buckets or other large containers when toddlers are home.
• Don't rely on flotation devices to protect your children in the water.
• Use childproof locks on all doors leading to water.
• Remove above-ground pool stairs when pool not in use.
• Parent and / or caregivers should know CPR.

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Learn to Swim!

• The local YMCA facilities offer swimming lessons for all ages.  
• The Children’s Services Council of Broward County has partnered with Broward County’s SWIM Central program to provide a coupon with a value of $40 to help off-set the cost of swimming instruction for children ages 6 months through 4 years-old.

More Information
​Water Smart Broward
Home Water Safety Checklist
CPSC - Pools and Spas
CDC - Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts