Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don’t try to keep up with a stronger skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you. Keep an eye on weaker swimmers—if they appear tired, encourage them to get out of the water and rest.
Watch out for the “dangerous too’s”—too tired, too cold, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. Get out of the water immediately if any of these situations occur. Stay off the main drain. The suction from the pump could trap you underwater.
Use common sense regarding food and beverages while swimming.
Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke.
Never drink alcohol and swim.
Use common sense about swimming after eating. If you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.
Use plastic instead of glassware in the pool area.
Obey “No Diving” signs. A general rule is to enter feet first into water rather than head-first.
Never dive into an above-ground pool, they are too shallow.
Make sure the pool cover is completely lifted off the pool. Never walk on the pool cover.
Watch the weather: know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming as soon as you see or hear a storm.
Keep rescue equipment (pole, rope and personal floatation devices) by the pool.
Keep a phone poolside. Program the phone with emergency phone numbers and/or post emergency phone numbers in your pool area.
Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid. Post CPR instructions in your pool area.
