1) Always empty blow-up pools after each use, and put them away.
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2) Keep toilets closed and/or use childproof toilet locks.
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3) Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and infant and child first-aid.
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4) Keep bathroom doors closed and install childproof devices to keep your child out of the bathroom (such as doorknob covers).
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5) Install childproof fencing around swimming pools.
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6) Encourage your adolescent to take swimming, diving, and water safety or rescue classes to give him/her the skills needed to swim and dive safely. These classes may also prevent your adolescent from acting recklessly.
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7) On boats, PFDs should be US Coast Guard-approved. In fact, many states require the use of PFDs on all boats at all times.
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8) Remove toys from the pool so that your child is not tempted to reach for them.
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9) Blow-up swimming devices such as "water wings," rafts, toys, and other items are not considered safe and should not be relied on to prevent drowning.
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10) Insist that your adolescent always swim with a buddy.
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11) Do not let your child rough-house with others in the water in ways that may be mistaken for drowning.
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12) It is important that the PFD is the correct size for your adolescent (life jackets are usually labeled "adult" or "child"). However, PFDs do not replace adult supervision.
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13) Avoid pool slides; they are very dangerous.
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14) Teach your child to stay calm and tread water until help arrives if he/she drifts too far from shore.
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15) Insist that your child wear a US Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device on boats at all times.
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16) Make sure you have rescue equipment, a telephone, and emergency phone numbers near the swimming pool.
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17) Avoid letting your child play with blow-up water toys in water that is above the waist.
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18) Do not allow children to dive in waters less than 9 feet deep.
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19) Never leave your child unsupervised near water at or in the home, or around any body of water, including a swimming pool.
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20) Make sure your adolescent checks the depth of the water before diving.
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21) Do not allow riding toys near pools.
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22) Do not rely on personal flotation devices (PDFs) or swimming lessons to protect your child.
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23) Never leave a young child alone in the bathtub, not even for a minute. Even supportive bathtub "rings" cannot keep your child from drowning.
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24) Keeping electrical appliances away from the pool to prevent electric shocks.
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25) Do not allow your child to swim during thunderstorms or lightning storms.
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26) Teach your adolescent never to swim or dive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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27) Keep a telephone near the poolside for emergency use.
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28) Do not let your child use a diving board in a pool that is not approved for it.
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29) Empty any buckets or other containers with liquids.
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30) Do not allow children to dive in waters less than 9 feet deep.
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31) How to Prevent Child Drownings
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32) Safety Barrier Guidelines for Home Pools
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