Firefighter Garcia shares information on how to stay safe in the water. (Mire el video en español | Xem video bằng tiếng Việt | 观看普通话视频 | 觀看國語影片).

Swimming pools and spas are a fun summertime activity for the whole family; however, if you aren’t careful, someone you love could easily get hurt or even drown. Young children and inexperienced swimmers are especially vulnerable; in fact, drowning is one of the leading causes of fatalities for children ages 1-14.* To help you enjoy the water responsibly, we've put together the following safety recommendations.

Swimming Safety Tips

• Never leave a child alone in or around water. Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Teach children to ask for permission to go near water. Remove all toys from the swimming pool area that might attract children to the pool when it's not in use.
• Closely supervise children. Assign a responsible adult to provide close and constant supervision for children who are in or around water. Adults who are on watch duty should avoid distracting activities such as reading, using a cellphone, or consuming alcohol or drugs.
• If a child is missing, always check the water first. Drowning can occur in as little as 20 seconds, so every second counts!**
• Choose swimming sites that have lifeguards, when possible. Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising—even when a lifeguard is present—no matter how well they can swim or how shallow the water is.
• Wear a life jacket. Children and inexperienced swimmers should wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket when they are in or around water. Do not rely on air-filled or foam toys.
• Use the buddy system. Whether you're a novice or an experienced swimming, always swim with a buddy. That way, someone is there in case something goes wrong.
  
• Learn basic swimming and water safety skills. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the risk of drowning. Note: children who have had swimming lessons still need close and constant supervision when in or around water.
• Learn CPR. Parents, guardians, and babysitters should learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and refresh their skills annually. Knowing CPR could save someone’s life in the time it takes for paramedics to arrive.
• Learn to recognize the signs that someone is drowning. Drowning isn't always like what you see in the movies—it's often fast, silent, and with little splashing. A swimmer may need immediate help if they are:
  • Struggling to keep their face above the water (their head is low in the water, tilted back, and their mouth is at water level);
  • Vertical in the water, but are unable to move or tread water (it appears as if they are bobbing);
  • Have their arms extended to the side pressing down for support;
  • Unable to respond to questions (they are silent); or
  • Motionless and face down in the water.

Secure Swimming Pools & spas

If you own a swimming pool or spa (in-ground or aboveground), secure it with appropriate barriers to prevent unsupervised access to the water. California’s 'Swimming Pool Safety Act' requires pool owners to install at least two of the seven following drowning prevention safety features:

1. Enclosure: A fence, wall, or other barrier that isolates a swimming pool from access to the home.
   
2. Removable Mesh Fencing: Install with a gate that is self-closing, self-latching, and can accommodate a key-lockable device.
3. Safety Cover: A manually or power-operated safety pool cover that meets all of the performance standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials.
4. Door Alarm: Exit alarms on doors that provide direct access to the swimming pool or spa. The exit alarm may cause either an alarm noise or a verbal warning.
5. Self-Latching Door: A self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed on the private single-family home’s doors providing direct access to the swimming pool or spa.
6. Pool Alarm: An alarm that, when placed in a swimming pool or spa, will sound upon detection of accidental or unauthorized entrance into the water.
7. Other Means of Protection: Other safety barriers are acceptable if they have been independently verified by an approved testing laboratory as meeting standards for those features established by the American Society for Testing and Materials or American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

spa Safety Tips

• Don’t let children under five years of age use a hot tub. Small children are not able to dissipate heat as well as adults.
• Use a spa cover. Secure your hot tub with a cover when it's not in use so children cannot fall into the water.
• Keep the water temperature below 104°F. Most adults prefer a water temperatures of 100°F to 102°F.
• Limit spa exposure to 15-20 minutes at a time. Staying in the water too long or at too high a temperature can cause overheating or other health issues. Additionally, children should spend even less time in a hot tub. Limit the soak time for children under the age of 10 to 5-10 minutes at a time and set the temperature below 95°F.
• Stay hydrated. Sweating in a hot tub dehydrates your body. Drink plenty of water to offset sweating.
• Avoid alcohol. Don’t drink alcohol before or during hot tub use, as it can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, or worse.
• Be careful when using prescription drugs. When taking medication that could cause drowsiness, avoid using a hot tub since the effect can be heightened by going into warm water. If you're unsure about your medications, consult your physician.
• Individuals with a serious medical condition should consult their physician. Those with a heart condition, high blood pressure, or other serious medical conditions should not enter a spa without their doctor's approval.