Water Safety Tips

Tips for a Fun & Safe Summer

As summertime draws near and pool season returns, High Sierra Pools wants to remind everyone that May is Water Safety Month! Spending more time in and around water is exciting, but it’s important to remember that drowning is fast, silent, and—most importantly—preventable. By working together and arming ourselves with water safety skills and knowledge, we can ensure a safe and enjoyable summer for our families and communities.

Why Water Safety Matters

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1-4. It is also the second leading cause for children 5-14 years old, just behind motor vehicle accidents.
Fortunately, learning to swim can reduce drowning risks by 88% for young children.
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly—so dedication to safety is crucial.

The R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Approach to Water Safety

In partnership with the Association of Aquatic Professionals, we encourage everyone to R.E.S.P.E.C.T. the water:

Recognition: Spot the signs of distressed or drowning swimmers—such as tiredness, lack of forward movement, or inability to call for help. Stay alert to unsafe situations.
Education: Learn about drowning risks and the hazards unique to each environment. Make sure everyone knows how to stay safe around water.
Supervision: Always supervise children closely in and around water, even if lifeguards are present. Assign a responsible adult as a Water Guardian and keep distractions away.
Physical Barriers: Use fences, safety covers, alarms, and Coast Guard-approved life jackets—not air-filled toys—to help keep non-swimmers safe.
Expectations: Know your limits and those of your children. Understand how factors like sun, fatigue, or weather can affect water safety.
Communication: Talk with friends, family, and guests about water safety rules.
Training: Make sure everyone in your household knows how to swim and respond to emergencies. Take swim lessons and first aid/CPR classes.

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Top Water Safety Tips for Families

Learn to Swim

The best thing anyone—children or adults—can do to stay safe around water is to learn to swim from a qualified instructor.

Provide Close, Constant Supervision

Never leave children unattended near water, not even for a moment. Stay within arm’s reach of non-swimmers.

Use Proper Safety Gear

Only use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for weak or non-swimmers, especially in open water.
Never rely on air-filled toys like water wings or inner tubes as safety devices.

Set Clear Rules & Barriers

Keep pools fenced with self-locking gates.
Obey posted pool and waterpark signs.
Use swim diapers for toddlers and know designated changing areas.

Stay Prepared

Be aware of the weather and get out of the water at the first sign of storms.
Apply sunscreen and keep hydrated.
Never swim alone, and always swim with a buddy in lifeguarded areas if possible.

Avoid the “Dangerous Toos”:

Don’t get too tired, too cold, too far from safety, overexposed to sun, or too involved in strenuous activity.

Practice Healthy Habits

Don’t eat, chew gum, or drink pool water while swimming.
Avoid alcohol when supervising children or swimming.

Water Safety Resources

Swim Lessons: Participation in swim lessons is proven to dramatically reduce drowning risks.
Water Safety Apps: The American Red Cross has a free Swim App with water safety guidelines.
Educational Materials: Pool Safely and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) offer free videos, printouts, and toolkits.
Step Into Swim: Find swim safety resources and learn about grants for swim lessons at stepintoswim.org.
Home Pool Essentials: Take the American Red Cross Home Pool Essentials course for tips on maintaining a safer pool environment.

Together, We Can Make a Difference

Combining education, supervision, strong swim skills, and proper safety planning can protect our children and ourselves from tragedy.

May is Water Safety Month—take this opportunity to review safety tips, talk with your family, and make swimming both fun and safe.