A pair of young children wearing bright swimsuits playing at the shallow edge of a pool while an adult sits watching from the poolside
For Families & Caregivers

Parents & Kids

Keeping children safe in and around water starts with awareness, preparation, and consistent supervision. This section brings together practical guidance, real stories from parent advocates, and resources to help families build water-smart habits — whether at the backyard pool, the lake, or the beach.

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A young child in a bright swimsuit splashing happily in shallow pool water under sunlight Water Safety For Kids Child-focused education to help kids understand water dangers and build safe habits.
A child wearing a bright life jacket floating calmly in a pool with a safety fence visible in the background Parents On a Mission Stories from parents advocating for stronger water safety awareness after personal experiences.
A low-poly geometric render of a backyard swimming pool scene with faceted blue water, a white pool deck, and a safety fence surrounding the area Safety Tips Blog Practical advice on supervision, PFDs, drowning recognition, and pool safety.

"There is no substitute for eye to eye contact!"

— Janice Jaicks, February 11, 2011

Resources for Families

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Close-up of rippling blue pool water with light reflections, calm and refreshing mood Educational Videos PSAs and instructional videos on drowning prevention and water safety for all ages.
A calm backyard swimming pool with a safety fence and gate, seen from a slight distance on a sunny day, conveying a secure family environment Pool Safely Campaign Learn about the national public education campaign and layers of protection for residential pools.

Supervision Essentials

Drowning is fast and silent. These core practices help parents and caregivers stay vigilant:

  • Designate a water watcher — an adult whose only job is watching children in the water, rotating every 15–20 minutes.
  • Stay within arm's reach of toddlers and weak swimmers at all times.
  • Learn to recognize drowning: it doesn't look like it does in movies. A drowning person rarely calls for help.
  • Install multiple layers of protection at home pools: fencing, self-latching gates, alarms, and covers.
  • Ensure every family member learns to swim and wears a properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket when boating.