Nothing says summer like a pool party! If you're hosting a pool full of people this summer, take a moment to test your water safety knowledge. Do you know all 8 of our poolside safety tips? You might be surprised by a few of them! Follow these suggestions from YMCA water safety experts to have a splashing good time, safely.
1. Always watch your kids around water and assign a “Water Watcher”. Supervision is key. Designate an adult to keep an active eye on everyone in or around the pool. Accidents can happen in an instant, so it’s important that the water watcher has no distractions – no phones, no books, and no conversations. The water watcher should monitor the weather, too, in case the party needs to be moved inside.
Pro tip: Alcohol is a distraction, too. The water watcher should stay sober to be alert, but that doesn't stop the fun! Scroll down to tip #7 for delicious non-alcoholic beverage ideas.
2. Assess swimming ability. Make sure all guests, especially children, know how to swim or arrive with a U.S Coast-Guard-approved life jacket. If possible, it’s a smart precaution to keep a few extra life jackets on hand for guests.
And remember: while water toys like inflatables or pool noodles are fun, they are NOT safety equipment. There is no replacement for a life jacket!
3. Maintain a safe and secure pool. Don't underestimate the importance of pool security- your child's life may depend on it. According to the Red Cross, 69% of children who drown were not expected to be near the water. To keep kids and guests safe, control access to your pool by removing ladders when the pool is not in use, using self-closing and self-latching gates, and installing proper fencing. As a rule of thumb, the Y recommends that all pools have a fence of at least 4 feet in height around the entire perimeter.
Check out the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission's comprehensive guide for pool barriers for more information on how to construct barriers for in-ground & above-ground pools and hot tubs.
Additionally, your city or town may have specific requirements for residential pools, so make sure to check out your local government’s website to ensure that your backyard oasis is up to code.
Pro tip: If children spot a toy in the pool, they may try to reach for it- always remove pool toys when not in use to prevent children from accidentally falling in.
4. Ensure swimmers stay away from drains and other pool operations. Drains can create a strong circulation of water that can attract hair and cause entanglement, increasing the risk of entrapment. Make sure that your guests know to stay away from drains and that the operating components of your pool are off limits areas.
5. Get CPR certified and have an emergency plan. Learning CPR for adults and children is a great safety measure for anyone, but especially if you have a pool.
Create an emergency plan in case of accidents or injuries. Some key pieces of information to include in your plan are:
- Directions to the nearest hospital
- A list of emergency contacts
- Any relevant medical information, including allergies
You may not be able to depend on your memory in an emergency, so it’s a good idea to write this information down. Choose a permanent location to store your emergency plan that can be easily accessed from the pool area. Consider keeping a first aid kit close to the pool as well, and make sure the assigned “water watcher” is aware of all safety procedures.
For more ways to build your family's emergency preparedness skills, check out Ready.gov's public education resource called #SummerReady.
6. Establish pool rules. To make sure your kids and guests have a good time, it’s important to establish pool rules. Kids should know the rules before getting in the pool, and the “water watcher” should help enforce them.
- Ban breath-holding contests. Breath-holding contests are a common pool game but can also be dangerous. Do not encourage a child to hold their breath for a long time while swimming, as it can lead to a possible emergency like drowning.
- No running around the pool.
- No diving in shallow areas. (Or at all, depending on your pool’s depth.)
7. Stay hydrated. When you’re spending time in the water, it’s all too easy to forget that you need to drink it, too! Provide water and encourage kids to stay hydrated, especially if they are spending time in the sun. Try offering some kid-friendly hydrating snacks, like watermelon or cucumbers.
Check out The American Heart Association's list of hydrating foods for more poolside snack ideas, perfect for crowds and even picky eaters!
Pro tip: As for the adults at your party, try ditching the alcohol for a safer and more hydrating option, with all the fun of a regular cocktail! These delicious non-alcoholic mocktail recipes are sure to impress your guests, and kids can try them, to!
8. Don’t forget sun protection. Getting sunburnt is certainly a party pooper- consider providing sunscreen at your party and encourage guests to apply it regularly. Keep in mind that not all sunscreens are created equally! The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. You can also offer shaded areas or umbrellas for guests to take breaks from the sun.
Pro tip: Convincing kids to leave the pool for a quick sunscreen application can be tricky when they’re in the middle of a good time. Set a timer and let kids know about break times in advance, so they know what to expect. Getting them involved can help with cooperation, so assign one child the responsibility of keeping an ear out for the timer. You can further incentivize sunscreen breaks by offering snacks at the same time.
---
So, how did your water safety knowledge measure up? Now that you know our top tips, we hope you're feeling more prepared to throw an unforgettable pool party while keeping you and your guests safe.
And if rain threatens to spoil the fun, don’t worry... the Y’s pool is open, rain or shine!
Updated July 22, 2024.