Water Safety at Home and Outdoors

Prepare towels and supplies before the bath. Stay with the child and within arm's reach; do not leave to answer a door or phone. If you need to step away, take the child with you. A bath seat or another young child is not an adult supervisor.

After use, empty the bath and other water containers and prevent unsupervised bathroom access. AAP's water safety guidance for young children explains these home risks and close supervision.

Illustrative example: The doorbell rings during a bath. The caregiver takes the child out of the water before responding, instead of asking an older preschooler to watch. The interruption changes the adult's task without transferring safety responsibility to a child.

Pool safety needs a barrier that separates the pool from the home and surrounding area, with a properly functioning self-closing, self-latching gate. Keep the barrier restored after use. Learn the applicable local requirements as well as the pool's instructions.

CPSC's Pool Safely guidance describes barriers, covers and other layers of protection. Doors, fences, gates and alarms need regular checking; an alarm alone is not a complete barrier.

Empty small wading pools and buckets promptly. Prevent access to ponds, drainage areas and other water at places you visit. If a child is missing and water is nearby, check the water immediately while getting help.

At a gathering, “Everyone is watching” can leave nobody clearly responsible. Choose a capable adult who gives full attention to the child. That person should not be using a phone, drinking alcohol or doing another job.

Illustrative example: One adult is supervising a toddler at the pool and needs to leave. They speak directly to the next responsible adult and wait for a clear acceptance before stepping away. A casual announcement to the whole group does not complete the handoff.

For young children, stay within arm's reach in the water. Lifeguards add protection but do not replace the caregiver's close supervision. If no adult can supervise safely, postpone the water activity.

Use a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket as appropriate in, on or near natural water, including lakes and rivers. Water wings and inflatable toys do not prevent drowning. AAP's guidance addresses life jackets and the limits of flotation toys.

Know the setting before starting: access points, current, depth, visibility and local rules may affect the activity. Do not treat a familiar shoreline or a shallow area as safe without supervision. When the conditions are uncertain, choose another place or activity.

Movement and outdoor play provides options that do not require water. Choosing a dry activity is a complete plan when a safe water arrangement is unavailable.

Swimming and water-safety instruction can be valuable, but a child who has attended lessons still needs supervision and barriers. Choose instruction that fits the child's development and needs, and discuss readiness with the clinician when uncertain.

Ask about the instructor's qualifications, the learning environment and how the program accommodates the child. Do not rely on a promise that lessons make a baby or toddler “drown-proof.”

Learn CPR and safe rescue skills through a qualified training provider. Know how to summon emergency help and describe your location. This article is not a substitute for emergency-response training.

Before a visit, share the supervision and access arrangements with every caregiver. The home safety check covers water hazards alongside other household risks. Keep reviewing as circumstances change: a pool visit, a new bucket in the yard or a gate left open can create a risk outside the usual routine.