In Case of an Emergency:
- Identify the emergency
- Pull the person out of the water
- Call 9-1-1
- If there isn’t a pulse, begin CPR
- Continue until EMS arrives
ABCs of Water Safety
- Adult supervision. Always have a responsible adult watching the pool. Avoid distractions when supervising the pool. If you need to leave the area, make everyone get out of the pool area until you or someone else relieves you.
- Barriers to water. There should always be a fence around the pool with a spring-loaded gate. Have a child protective latch on toilets, children can easily open a door.
- CPR classes are available through different organizations, learning CPR is a useful skill in helping safe lives. Living in the desert, swim lessons are a necessity. Pima County offers swim lessons at various locations around town.
Backyard Safety
When installing a fence remember to think like a child.
Can a child:
- Crawl under the fence?
- Fit through the bars?
- Climb over the fence? Or climb on things (pots, furniture, coolers) to get over the fence?
- Is there a self-closing gate, and childproof latch?
If there isn’t a fence, make sure that there is a child proof lock on the doors leading to the pool area and an alarm. Don’t forget the doggie door needs a childproof lock.
Water Guard Information
The purpose of the water guard tag is to create accountability when watching people in water.
Accidents happen and having someone designated to be the “Water Guard” it allows the water experience to be safer.
The water guard is a responsible person who pledges to not be distracted, not leave the water area unless someone relieves them, and to watch the water at all times.
On the back of the tag there is a space for the pool address to be written down. In the case of an emergency the water guard is able to give the address without hesitation. Multiple tags can be copied, one for each pool the family goes to.
Contact publiceducation@northwestfire.org for a Water Guard tag.