Halton Regional Police Service

Pool and Hot Tub Safety

Excellence IntegrityJustice Trust and Respect

TeamworkAccountability

• Children should never swim without an adult present and physically watching, even when they are in numbers. Don’t leave children in the pool to step inside for a few minutes. A good pool rule: Adult goes in, kids come out. Have the kids sit and wait in a safe area until the adult returns.

• Toddlers in the water, even when bobbing in a Personal Floatation Device (PFD) should always be at arm’s length from an adult.

• Although fun, inflatable toys and air mattresses can be a danger when young children are swimming in water above the waist. Keep these types of pool toys to a minimum and always remove them when not in use. Young children can fall in easily when reaching for them.

• Put young children and weak swimmers in properly fitted Personal Floatation Devices when in or around water.

It only takes 30 seconds...

Did you know that most child related drownings occur in swimming pools? If you have a pool at your home, use these tips to help prevent a tragedy.

Pool Safety:

• It is highly encouraged that pool owners be trained and certified in First Aid and CPR. If an accident occurs, you may be able to save a life.

• When your pool is open during the summer months, post a sign by the phone and/or have one outside near a cell phone with the emergency number 9-1-1, residence address, telephone number and homeowners’ names in case a guest needs to make the emergency call.

• Every second counts when a child is under water. If a child is missing, outside or inside the home, look in the pool first.

One Vision, One Mission, One Team

• Children are never too young to be taught water safety. Start early and teach them the importance of following the pool rules and the dangers of what can happen if they don’t.

• Put your children in swimming lessons. Lessons provide an opportunity for kids to gain confidence in the water, learn skills and most importantly learn pool safety.

• Install fences and walls around the en-tire pool. Fences should be at least 1.2m (4ft) high, with self-closing and self-latching gates. Latches should be out of a young child’s reach.

Hot Tubs and Spas:

Consider keeping hot tubs and spas off-limits to young children. Talk to your doctor before allowing children younger than age five (5) to use them.

A danger in hot tubs is when kids treat them like pools and go beneath the surface. Hair can become tangled in drains or jets, or body parts can become trapped.

• Never allow children in a hot tub without an adult present and closely supervised.

• Don’t allow underwater play in a hot

tub. Hot tub and spa jets and drains can suck hair in, trapping a child underwater. Hot tubs and spas are not swimming pools or places for active play.

• Make sure you know how to shut the jets off in an emergency.

• Don’t allow the water temperature to exceed 40°C (104°F) in hot tubs and spas. Drowning can occur from extremely hot water by causing drowsiness and loss of consciousness in both children and adults.

• Install a door alarm to alert you if an unattended child wanders into the pool, hot tub or spa area.

Swimming pools are a fun place to relax and play but there are many dangers that come with them. With proper precautions, planning and some common sense, many of these risks can be avoided so everyone can enjoy their day at the pool.

For more information, contact:Halton Regional Police Service

905-825-4747 ext. 8990www.haltonpolice.ca