The latch should be out of a small child's reach. If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a phone is poolside with emergency numbers posted. For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked, or removed when the pool is not in use. If a child is missing, always look in the pool first.
Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. CPSC advises that consumers use remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away from the pool area. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction.