Drowning Prevention Tips: The ABC & D’s

Drowning is a serious issue in Clark County because of the access to pools at all times of the year. The typical drowning victim is age 4 and younger and doesn’t make any noise when slipping into the pool to go after a toy or other object.

To keep your child safe near water, remember the ABC & D’s of drowning prevention: Adult Supervision, Barriers, Classes, and Devices.

Adult Supervision

• always designate an adult to watch children around the pool or spa
• always know where your children are when you are inside your house

Barriers

• install a 60″ tall, non-climbable fence around the pool with a self-closing gate
• use a power-operated pool cover
• install alarms on back doors and windows so you know when they have been opened

Classes

• take a CPR and rescue techniques class
• have your child take swimming classes, but know that does not make him or her drown-proof

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
• have non-swimmers wear personal flotation devices (life jackets, not arm floaties) near all bodies of water

Other Drowning Prevention Safety Tips

• close back doors if your pool doesn’t have a fence
• drain kiddie pools after every use
• always look immediately in the pool when your child is missing
• never leave your child alone in the bathtub
• always remove toys from the pool after playing in the pool 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.