Water Safety Tips

The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation Department wants you to be safe around the water, so please remember these tips.

• Always supervise children around a pool.
• Fence and cover your pool. Make sure the fence gate is self-closure and self-locking.
• Use a pool alarm.
• Do not place objects near a fence that children can climb onto to get into the pool.
• Keep a life ring near the pool at all times.
• Be sure the telephone is handy whenever you are using the pool.
• Dive safely. Know whether the water is deep enough, dive only in the deep end of the pool and never dive into water when another swimmer is nearby.
• Remove vegetation and other obstacles to be sure you have a clear view of the pool from inside the house.
• Drain standing water from pool covers. Even a few inches can be dangerous to young children.
• Never use a pool after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
• Use only non-breakable items in the pool area. Never allow bottles or glass around the pool.
• Enforce the buddy system -- never let anyone swim alone.
• Don't enter a pool if you can't see the bottom of the deep end of the pool or the water is cloudy.
• Never eat or chew gum while swimming -- you might choke.
• Never swim under diving boards and slides.
• Go down slides in a sitting position with your feet first. Never go headfirst or you might injure your head, neck or back.

Sources: American Red Cross, National Safety Council, National Spa & Pool Institute