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# Pool and Swimming Safety

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Drownings happen quickly and often they are silent. They are 100% preventable, but to prevent these tragedies, community members must follow simple water safety steps. Fire departments can play a key role in getting pool and swimming safety messages out to their communities.

Did you know:

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death among children ages 1-4.

Source: PoolSafely.gov

##  Messages to share

Adults need to stay with children when they are in or around water. DO NOT read, use a cell phone or leave children to go someplace else.

For preschoolers, an adult should be close enough to touch the child.

Install 4-sided fencing that separates the pool area from the home and yard. The fence should be at least 4-feet high. Use self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward.

Keep the pool and deck clear of floats, balls and toys after you get out of the pool.

Never swim near a boat, marina or boat launch.

When boating, always use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

## Pictographs 

Pictographs can help overcome literacy barriers by communicating messages with pictures. Our pictographs will help you to communicate safety messages to high-risk populations.

#### Other suggested resources

          - American Red Cross: Water Safety
          - Healthy and Safe Swimming Week
          - PoolSafely.gov

Page last reviewed: April 1, 2023

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