Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water (such as pools, rivers, lakes, bathtubs, toilets, and even buckets of water), no matter how well your child can swim and no matter how shallow the water.
Stay within arms reach of an inexperienced swimmer while he or she is in the water.
Do not rely on substitutes. The use of flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental supervision.
Empty kiddie pools immediately after use. Do not leave water in an unattended pool of any kind.
Teach children to swim by enrolling them in a Red Cross Learn to Swim Course. Your decision to provide your child with early aquatic experiences is a gift that will have lifelong rewards.
Family members should participate in a Red Cross water safety course. A water safety course encourages safe practices and provides lifelong safety skills.
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid.