May is National Water Safety Month, and for pool or spa owners, it is essential to adopt critical water safety steps to assure the safety of children in and around the water. By installing safety devices and observing proper water safety behaviors, parents can secure their pools and spas for use by their families, friends and neighbors.

Some safety suggestions from the International Swimming Hall of Fame include:

Teaching children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible.
Appointing a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings in or around pools.
Keeping rescue equipment and a first-aid kit poolside.
Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. If a child is missing, check the pool first.
Don’t use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. Never allow a young child in a pool without an adult.
Don’t leave objects such as toys that might attract a child in the pool and pool area.
Never assume someone else is watching a child in a pool area.
Don’t think you’ll hear a child who’s in trouble in the water; child drowning is a silent death, with no splashing to alert anyone that the child is in trouble.

When combined, these safety strategies help ensure that both adults and children are amply protected in and around the water.

Also, take a look at the questions below. By asking and answering these critical questions, you can gauge the effectiveness of your water safety measures, and determine what steps need to be taken to protect children from drowning and submersion injuries:

Is there a fence around the perimeter of your pool or spa?
Are there self-closing and self-latching gates?
Are there door, gate or pool alarms in use?
Do your pool and spa have an anti-entrapment drain cover that is compliant with the Pool & Spa Safety Act?
Is your spa cover in working order?

If you’ve answered no to any of these questions, please don’t hesitate to call ASP - America's Swimming Pool Company. Our qualified pool professionals can help you ensure that your pool or spa is operating safely. By properly installing safety devices or accurately measuring the water flow rate through a spa or hot tub, our professionals will help maintain the security of your pool or spa. If you don’t know your nearest location, visit our Locations page and call your local franchise owner today!

Find more safety tips for pool & spa owners at poolsafely.gov.