Drowning is a serious issue in Clark County due to year-round pool access.

Most victims are age 4 and under and slip into the water silently while reaching for a toy or object.

Keep children safe near water with the ABC & D’s of drowning prevention:
Adult supervision, Barriers, Classes, and Devices.

Adult Supervision

• Designate a single, attentive “water watcher” at all times who stays within arm’s reach of young children, avoids distractions (phones, reading, cooking) and rotates frequently so attention stays fresh.

• Establish clear rules before pool time: no swimming alone, set time limits, and rehearse emergency actions (shout for help, remove the child, start CPR) so everyone knows what to do.

Barriers

• Install a 60″ tall, non-climbable fence around the pool with a self-closing gate

• Use a power-operated pool cover to prevent children from manually lifting the cover

• Install alarms/door chimes on back doors so you know when they have been opened

Classes

• Take a CPR and rescue techniques class

• Have your child take swimming classes, but know even the best swimmers can still drown

Devices

• Keep a phone by the pool and child’s bathtub at all times

• Keep other rescue tools, like a shepherd’s hook and lifesaving ring, by the pool at all times

• Always wear personal flotation devices (approved life jackets) near all bodies of water (pools, lakes, rivers)

• Ensure your child has a proper floatation device. Arm-floaties are not recommended.

Other Drowning Prevention Safety Tips

• Close back doors if your pool doesn’t have a fence

• Drain kiddie pools after every use

• Check the pool first if you cannot find your child

• Never leave your child alone in the bathtub

• Always remove toys from the pool after playing and store them securely away

​MORE INFORMATION

For more information on how to keep children safe near water, visit the Southern Nevada Health District’s Drowning Prevention web page.