The greatest water safety assurance in swimming pools and spas comes from adopting and practicing as many water safety steps as possible. Adding that extra safety step in and around the water can make all the difference. You can never know which safety measure will save a life – until it does.

The following list outlines the water safety steps that you can and should take to help keep your family safe.

Behavioral: staying close, being alert, and watching children in and around the pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when they are in or near a pool or spa

• Teach children basic water safety tips

• Avoid entrapment by keeping children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings

• Have a phone close by at all times when you or your family are using a pool or spa

• If a child is missing, look for them in the pool or spa first

• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

Knowledge-based: learning and practicing water safety skills

• Learn how to swim

• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults; update those skills regularly

• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

Equipment: having the appropriate equipment

• Install a four-foot fence around the perimeter of the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates. Ask your neighbors and community groups to do the same at all residential pools.

• If your house serves as the fourth side of a fence around a pool, install a pool alarm and use all the time

• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers; ask if you do not know

• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order

• Have life saving equipment such as life rings or floats available for easy use

For more information, visit www.poolsafely.gov, follow the campaign on Twitter (@poolsafely), visit the Flickr page at www.flickr.com/photos/poolsafely and visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/poolsafely.