Pool Safety Checklist

A four-sided fence that separates the pool from the house and yard cuts a child's drowning risk by 83% compared with three-sided property-line fencing (CDC (opens in a new tab)).

Barriers

• Fence on all four sides, at least 4 feet high, with no gaps wider than 4 inches.
• Gate self-closes and self-latches, opens away from the pool, latch at least 54 inches up.
• Doors and windows to the pool have locks and alarms out of a child's reach.
• Above-ground pool: ladder removed or locked; no furniture or toys to climb on.
• Hot tub has a locked cover. Drain covers are in place, not loose or broken.

Swim time and emergencies

• One named Water Watcher at a time: no phone, no other job, switch every 15-20 minutes.
• An adult who can swim stays within arm's reach of babies, toddlers and weak swimmers.
• A phone, a reaching pole, something to throw and a first aid kit are by the pool.
• Everyone knows: if a child is missing, check the pool first.

What you can do today: close the gate and let go: it should latch by itself. Then read what makes a pool barrier work or try Pool barrier check.