Build a barrier.
Install a gated fence that's at least 4 feet high around your pool to keep children and pets from falling in. Gates should be self-closing and self-latching, and the latch should be out of a child's reach.
Test your equipment.
Before you use your pool, check out the condition of your first aid kit, reaching pole and ring buoy. Your ring buoy should have a nylon line attached.
Stock up on safety gear.
Get effective water-safety equipment for your kids, plus extras for friends who come over. Invest in U.S. Coast Guard-approved life vests. Go to www.uscgboating.org for information. Check the labels for weight and size guidelines and make sure each vest will fit snugly. For children under age 5, choose a vest that has head support and a strap to go between the legs.
Communicate safely.
Keep a cordless phone or cell phone poolside whenever children are in the water. You'll be able to receive calls and make any emergency calls without leaving kids unattended.
Get a pool-party supervisor.
You can't responsibly watch over the kids in the water if you're distracted by hosting guests, grilling burgers and refilling drinks. Ask a responsible adult who's trained in CPR and first aid to supervise the children, or hire an American Red Cross-trained lifeguard. (The management at a local swimming pool can recommend someone.)
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