Safety

Drowning is one of the largest causes of accidental death for American infants and children under the age of five.

1. Never leave a child alone or out of your eyesight in or near the pool, spa, or hot tub—not even for a second.

2. Access to the pool, spa, or hot tub should be limited by locked doors and/or gates whenever swimming or soaking cannot be supervised.

3. Keep toys, particularly tricycles or wheel toys, away from the pool, spa, or hot tub. A child playing with these could accidentally fall into the water.

4. Do not allow anyone of any age to swim without a “spotter” nearby. Examples of good safety behavior by adults are important for your children.

Drowning Prevention Tips for Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs

1. There is no substitute for responsible adult supervision.

2. Pools, spas, and hot tubs are attractive to children, and children must be kept away from them in the absence of responsible adult supervision. A fence, wall, or natural/artificial barrier should completely surround your pool, spa, or hot tub. All gates or doors leading from the house to the pool area should have a self-closing and self-latching mechanism that protects against unauthorized entry and use. The inside latch should be 54" high, above the reach of toddlers or young children. Also, an alarm system for your pool, spa, or hot tub can warn you, if someone has penetrated the barrier.

3. Check with your state or local government to learn their specific legal requirements concerning fencing around pools, spas, and hot tubs. You cannot be too cautious. If your pool, spa, or hot tub is indoors, lock the door to the room or have a cover that locks, to keep out children.

4. Do not place objects (e.g., chairs or tables) near the pool, spa, or hot tub fence or barrier that could allow a youngster to climb over.

5. Remove vegetation and other obstacles to create a clear view of the pool, spa, or hot tub from the house.

6. If you use a pool, spa, or hot tub cover, carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s directions for safe installation, use, and maintenance. Always completely remove the cover before using your pool, spa, or hot tub to avoid the possibility of anyone—especially a small child—being trapped and drowning under the cover.

7. Drain any standing water from the surface of your pool, spa, or hot tub cover. An infant or small child can drown in even the smallest amount of water.

8. If you use any of the lightweight, floating pool, spa, or hot tub covers, be especially alert for the potential for drowning accidents. These covers are not designed for safety and no one should ever crawl or walk on them.

Layers of Protection To Help Protect Pool, Spa, and Hot Tub Users, Especially Children Under Five Years of Age

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) believes that the home pool, spa, or hot tub provides a healthy, relaxing recreational opportunity for families in their own backyard. The APSP has worked with nationally recognized safety groups to provide information to assist pool, spa, and hot tub owners in meeting their safety needs.

While the number of pools, spas, and hot tubs grows significantly each year, child drownings have been declining. Nevertheless, parents should be aware that any body of water poses a risk, especially for children under five years of age.

Parents should know that adult supervision is the primary way to prevent accidents. They should maintain constant visual contact with children whenever they are near, or could get near, any body of water. Unfortunately, most accidents occur when there is a lapse in supervision, even for a short time.

Recognizing these facts, APSP supports the concept of “Layers of Protection” for pools, spas, and hot tubs— an idea that is widely embraced by safety experts. “Layers of Protection” means that, in addition to supervision, the pool, spa, or hot tub is equipped with several devices to delay a child’s unsupervised access, or warn of the child’s presence. These layers should be aimed at protecting the area between the house and the pool, since studies show that children are most at risk in their own backyard, when parents believe they are safely inside the house.

The information in this booklet lists a number of options that should be evaluated as possible components of a layered approach to safety. APSP suggests that all pools, spas, and hot tubs should be protected. A minimum four-foot-high barrier that completely surrounds or encompasses the pool is common, but the barrier may include fencing, a wall of the house, or a safety cover that is installed per manufacturers’ instructions. Owners should always check, and comply with, state and local codes or ordinances requiring fences or other barriers.

This booklet is intended to provide basic information about the range of products available to provide layers of safety. APSP cannot endorse or evaluate the effectiveness of any individual product, but encourages parents to investigate several of the listed options in the context of the type of pool, spa, or hot tub they have, the ages of children likely to be in the area, and neighborhood and topographical factors. Many of the products listed here are new and represent significant technological advances over what was available just a few years ago. For additional information, see ANSI/IAF-8 2005 Model Barrier Code for Residential Swimming Pools, Spas, and Hot Tubs.

APSP reminds parents that these options are “backups” to the primary means of accident prevention: Responsible Adult Supervision.

Members of The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP)

are committed to the safe use and enjoyment of pools, spas, and hot tubs and adhere to a code of business ethics. To maximize your enjoyment, deal with an APSP member firm. To locate an APSP member in your area, visit www.TheAPSP.org and consult The Member Locator. Just enter your zip code and you will find a listing of APSP members convenient to you, or call 800.323.3996.

APSP reminds parents that these “layers” are backups to the primary means of accident prevention: Responsible Adult Supervision.

Important Safety Measures for Your Pool, Spa, or Hot Tub

Fencing

PURPOSE: To isolate the swimming pool by way of a minimum four-foot-high enclosure.

TYPES:

a. Chain link
b. Wooden picket (if non-climbable)
c. Ornamental
d. Portable fencing*
e. Natural barrier (thick hedge), if permitted by local code

*Purpose: To temporarily isolate a pool, spa, or hot tub when children are visiting.

Automatic, Power Safety Covers

PURPOSE: An impenetrable covering that completely covers the pool, blocking access to water. Cover is operated electronically or by a key independent of all other pool equipment.

TYPES: