Drowning can happen in an instant and it doesn’t only happen in swimming pools. It can happen in canals, lakes, spas or bathtubs. Drowning prevention experts stress that layers of protection are key. Those layers include vigilant parents, pool fences with gates that self-latch, alarms and not drinking alcohol when swimming.

Too often people say "I only left for a second." Sadly, just a few seconds is all it takes for a child to drown. Drowning is one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of four in Arizona. Most children drown in their own pools, but children also drown in buckets, toilets, bathtubs, fish tanks, and ponds. And it only takes two inches of water for a child to drown. Near drowning is also very tragic and can cause permanent brain damage. Adults often drown in spas and pools with alcohol consumption being a factor.

Swimming pool safety devices include: 

                 Pool Covers                               Pool Alarms

                Pool Gate                                       Perimeter Wall

   Pool Gate Latch                                             Pool Gate Alarm

           Door Latch                           Door Alarm                                    Window Alarm

Anti-Entrapment Swimming Pool Cover                 Spa Safety Drain Cover

Drowning and near drowning can be prevented. Below are some tips on preventing drowning.

• Never leave a child unattended in or near a lake/canal, swimming pool, hot tub/spa, bathtub, toilet or bucket of water.
• Keep toys, tricycles, and other children's play items away from the pool or spa.
• Don't consider your children to be "drownproof" because they have taken swimming lessons or because they are wearing/using flotation devices.
• Make sure your pool or spa has an effective barrier, such as a fence, wall, or locked gate that helps to guard against unauthorized access.
• Gates should have self-closing, self-latching mechanisms. Latches need to be out of reach of young children.
• Mount life saving devices near the pool.
• Keep tables, chairs and ladders away from pool fences.
• Check placement of doggie doors for direct access to pool area.
• Learn how to administer CPR, mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and other lifesaving techniques.
• Always empty any bucket when it is not in use. Five-gallon industrial buckets are constructed of heavy, rigid plastic and pose a threat to young children. The large size and heavy construction of the bucket, as well as a child's center of gravity and underdeveloped coordination, make it difficult for a child to get out of the bucket.
• Children must be supervised while bathing. Leaving a child in charge of a younger sibling is not acceptable. Many tragedies occur when the child is left alone in the tub for "just a few seconds.” It’s important to immediately empty the bathtub once the bath is finished.
• Children have also been known to drown in toilets. Because of a toddler's head and body weight distribution, the child that reaches into the toilet and falls in head first may not have the strength to escape. Safety latches for toilet seats are recommended.

If you find anyone in need of help in any source of water:

• Yell for help and pull the person out of the water.
• Call 9-1-1 immediately.
• Begin CPR if you are trained. If you are not trained to administer CPR, follow the instructions from the 9-1-1 operator until help arrives.