Having a pool, pond, spa, or hot tub on your property is a huge responsibility when it comes to safety. Remember, drowning can happen in seconds to minutes, and is often completely silent. So vigilance is key. Here's how you can keep kids — yours and others' — safe. Fencing A fence that goes directly around a pool or spa is the best safety investment you can make. Four-sided pool fencing decreases water-related injuries in young children by over 50%. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) says fences should meet these standards: They should be at least 4 feet (130 centimeters) high, though experts prefer a height of 5 feet (152 centimeters). They should have no foot or handrails for kids to climb on. The slats should be less than 4 inches (110 millimeters) apart so a child can't get through. A chain link fence should have no openings larger than 1-3/4 inches (50 millimeters). Gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of kids' reach, at least 4-1/2 feet (137 centimeters) above the bottom of the gate. Pool Rules If you have a pool, make sure that kids: Do not run or push each other around the pool. Never dive in areas that are not marked for diving. Get out of the pool right away in bad weather, especially if there's lightning. Above all, watch kids at all times. Swimming lessons and flotation devices do not eliminate drowning risks. Other things to keep in mind: If you're at a party, designate an adult to watch kids in the pool. Consider a "water watcher badge" for this person to wear while he or she is responsible for the safety of swimmers. This person should be sober and not distracted. Seconds count in a water emergency, so keep your cellphone with you when it's your turn to watch the kids in case there's an emergency. Make sure that babysitters and other caregivers know your rules for the pool. Learn CPR. Keep safety equipment, such as emergency flotation devices, in good shape and close by when swimming. After your kids finish playing in the pool, put all pool toys away. Children have drowned while trying to get playthings left in the pool. If you have an above-ground pool, always lock or remove the ladder when the pool is not in use. Back to Articles Related Articles Water Safety Kids need constant supervision around water - whether the water is in a bathtub, pool, the sea, or a water park. Here's how to keep them safe. Read More Outdoor Water Safety Swimming in an open body of water (like a river, lake, or ocean) is different from swimming in a pool. Here are some tips based on the type of water. Read More Bathroom Water Safety Always supervise young kids in the bath to keep them safe. Here are other bathroom water safety tips. Read More Household Safety: Preventing Drowning Water safety is important at any age, but especially if you have babies or toddlers. Here's how to reduce drowning risks. Read More Water Safety Swimming and other water sports are a great way to beat the heat. Read this article to find out how you can stay safe at the pool, beach, lake - and even the water park. Read More Swimming Kids love to spend hot days splashing around in a pool or the ocean. But drowning is the second most common cause of death from injuries among kids under the age of 14. Learn how to be safe. Read More Safety Tips: Swimming To keep things as safe as possible for swimming season, follow these tips. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.