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!
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!
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
Learn to Swim!
More Information
Water Smart Broward
Home Water Safety Checklist
CPSC - Pools and Spas
CDC - Unintentional Drowning: Get the Facts
- 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.
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