Parents and families can build on their current safety systems at pools and spas by adopting additional water safety steps, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

As pool season rapidly approaches, New York City-based Relevant Public Relations LLC is urging adults to pay notice — and follow the agency’s life-protecting advice. 

“Any safety advice regarding our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews is much too important for to ignore,” said Barton Horowitz, president of Relevant Public relations. “Some pool-safety tips may seem obvious, but they too easily can be ignored due to a distraction. Let’s all take the time to review the basics; our kids are too precious for us not to.”

Adding as many proven water safety steps as possible is the best way to assure a safe and fun experience, because you can never know which one might save a child’s life — until it does.

CPSC suggests the following ways to enhance pool and spa safety:

Staying Close, Being Alert and Watching Children in and Around the Pool

• Never leave a child unattended in a pool or spa and always watch your child when he or she is in or near water
• Teach children basic water safety tips
• Keep children away from pool drains, pipes and other openings to avoid entrapments
• Have a telephone close by when you or your family is using a pool or spa
• If a child is missing, look for him or her in the pool or spa first
• Share safety instructions with family, friends and neighbors

Learning and Practicing Water Safety Skills

• Learn how to swim and teach your child how to swim
• Learn to perform CPR on children and adults, and update those skills regularly
• Understand the basics of life-saving so that you can assist in a pool emergency

Having the Appropriate Equipment for Your Pool or Spa

• Install a four-foot or taller fence around the pool and spa and use self-closing and self-latching gates; ask your neighbors to do the same at their pools.
• Install and use a lockable safety cover on your spa.
• If your house serves as a fourth side of a fence around a pool, install door alarms and always use them. For additional protection, install window guards on windows facing pools or spas.
• Install pool and gate alarms to alert you when children go near the water
• Ensure any pool and spa you use has compliant drain covers, and ask your pool service provider if you do not know
• Maintain pool and spa covers in good working order
• Consider using a surface wave or underwater alarm