A child can drown in the few minutes it takes to answer the telephone. Drownings occur quickly and silently, often without any splashing or screaming. Flotation devices are never to be used as a substitute for supervision, and knowing how to swim doesn't make a child drownproof. Watch children closely while they are in the pool. If a child is missing, always look in the pool first.
Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
Keep rescue equipment by the pool, and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted.