Drowning is quiet. Nobody splashes for help in the movies; in the real thing, there is often nothing to hear.

Pool Safely is a campaign of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Its seven tips, in our words:

  1. Supervise. Always watch children in or near water. Name one adult the "Water Watcher" with no other job, keep a phone nearby, and if a child goes missing check the pool first. Keep the role even with lifeguards present.
  2. Learn to swim. Low-cost or free lessons are listed through local YMCAs, USA Swimming chapters and parks and recreation departments.
  3. Know your drains. Children should stay away from drains and suction outlets, especially in spas and shallow pools. Never enter a pool or spa with a loose, broken or missing drain cover, and find the emergency vacuum shutoff before using a spa.
  4. Check the drain covers. Pool Safely says all public pools and spas must have drain covers that meet the safety standard; ask the same of any private pool or spa you use. Strong suction can trap adults too.
  5. Barriers, covers, alarms. A fence at least four feet tall on all sides that children cannot climb, with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Add a door alarm between house and pool area, and keep covers in good working order.
  6. Learn CPR. Child and adult, and keep it current.
  7. Take the pledge on the Pool Safely site.

Buying pool safety gear

Look for a listing that names the standard it meets and says what size of pool it fits. CPSC's pool page lists warnings telling consumers to stop using specific drain covers sold by named sellers because they violate the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act, so buy covers from sellers who state compliance.

These tips are not a substitute for local building codes, which vary and may be stricter.

Last checked: 21 October 2026. General information, not legal, medical or financial advice. Sources: Pool Safely, safety tips (undated; accessed 15 October 2026); CPSC Pool Safely page (latest item 4 August 2026; accessed 15 October 2026).