← Safety & stewardshipLearning together · With GeorgiaFamily pool-safety checklist.Make a plan before anyone gets in.Review these five layers with the adults responsible for supervision. They work together: checking every box does not make a pool risk-free.Print this checklist1. Barriers & alarmsCheck that the pool is separated from children by a four-sided fence with a gate that closes and latches itself.Check your safety covers and alarms, and keep the gate closed. These support supervision; they do not replace it.More from NDPA ↗2. SupervisionChoose a capable adult water watcher whose only task is watching the children closely and continuously.Agree on an explicit handoff before the watcher takes a break. Put away distractions; keep a phone nearby for emergencies.More from NDPA ↗3. Water competencyPlan swimming and water-safety lessons with a qualified instructor for children and adults who need them.Discuss each swimmer’s abilities and limits. Keep supervision in place even after lessons.More from NDPA ↗4. Life jacketsHave properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets available for swimmers who need them, especially around open water.Explain that inflatable toys and floats are for play, not substitutes for life jackets or supervision.More from NDPA ↗5. Emergency preparationArrange CPR training that includes rescue breaths, and keep your training current.Make sure adults know the pool’s address, how to call 911 and where emergency equipment is kept. Learn water-rescue skills through training.More from NDPA ↗Based on the National Drowning Prevention Alliance’s five layers of protection and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s Pool Safely tips. Reviewed September 26, 2026.Explore more safety and stewardship resources →
