Swimming Pool Safety (Fact Sheet)
2005
ISBN: 0-662-68854-6
Cat. No.: H46-2/05-404
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 (143K)
 Each year, many children drown in backyard swimming pools and in small kiddie pools.
Children are in danger because:
- They like to play in water.
- They move quickly.
- They can drown in only a few centimetres (1 inch) of water.
Why do these drownings happen?
- Sometimes the pool is not fenced in all the way around.
- Sometimes the gate to the backyard is not shut all the way or locked.
- Sometimes a young child gets to the pool through a patio door or garage door that opens into the backyard.
- Check with your town or city to find out the rules for putting up a fence around your pool.
- Build a fence and a gate that will keep children away from your pool.
- Keep the gate locked at all times.
- ALWAYS have an adult watching children in and around the pool.
- Children under the age of 3 and children who cannot swim must wear a life jacket or PFD (personal floatation device).
- Send children to swimming and water safety lessons.
- Make sure lifesaving equipment and a first aid kit are handy.
- Take a course on pool safety, first aid and lifesaving skills (such as CPR).
- Have emergency phone numbers listed at the telephone closest to the pool.
- Make sure toys, garden furniture and tools are not near the pool fence. Children can climb up on these things to get into the pool.
- To learn more about water safety and learn-to-swim programs, please call your local Canadian Red Cross Society, or the local Branch Office of the Lifesaving Society.
For more information contact Product Safety, Health Canada.
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