Active supervision is the most important way to keep children safe in the water. Never leave the pool area without designating another responsible adult to watch your child.
For young or inexperienced swimmers, keep them within arm’s reach so you can respond immediately if they go underwater. As your children grow older and more confident in their swimming abilities, you can allow more space—but you should still maintain constant visual supervision.
Setting boundaries helps create a safer environment around the pool. Make sure your children understand and follow these basic rules:
Parents should also set rules for themselves—such as avoiding phone use, food preparation, or any tasks that distract from supervising children.
Swim lessons are one of the most effective ways to prevent drowning. They are not just a summer activity—they should continue year-round.
Children can begin group or individual lessons as early as age three, and “parent and me” classes are available for infants and toddlers under three. These classes provide a safe, supportive environment where children can learn basic swimming skills while building comfort and confidence in the water.
Did you know that 2014 was one of the worst years for drownings in Orange County? Every one of these incidents was preventable.
To learn more about keeping your children safe around water, join us at the Orange County Drowning Prevention Task Force meeting on Thursday, March 19, at the Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center at 5:30 p.m.
