Most of the cases involve residential pools. Many occur within only a few minutes of a child wandering away. Nearly 70 percent of children younger than 5 who drown were not expected to be at or near a pool. Avoid chain link fences, which can be climbed easily, and fences that have vertical bars or boards more than four inches apart. Keep outdoor furniture and other objects on which a child can climb away from pool fences.
Place latches high enough to be out of children's reach.
Never prop open pool gates. Ladders or steps to above-ground pools should be locked or removed when not in use. Child wrist-band alarms that sound when a child gets wet. Gate alarms that can be purchased at hardware stores. In addition to securing pool areas, establish strict pool rules and adhere to them.