Guide · Safety and emergencies

Pool and Hot Tub Safety

A friendly, practical guide to enjoying a pool or hot tub safely, from supervision and fences to drain covers, chemicals and simple rules for guests.

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Where to start

Child missing or someone in trouble?
Check the pool or hot tub first. Seconds count. Call 911, then see if someone is in trouble.
Swimming today?
Tick through pool habits that save lives.
Getting ready for swim season?
Start with before swim season.

The short version

A pool or hot tub is a wonderful gift that asks for constant care. Drowning can happen quickly and quietly.

Always have a Water Watcher, keep the gate closed and latched, and keep young children within arm’s reach.

Use safety drain covers, lock hot tub covers, store chemicals safely, and learn to swim and learn CPR.

If a child is missing, check the water first. In an emergency, call 911 and begin CPR if you are trained.

Pool rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.

Four simple rules

1
Always a Water Watcher
When anyone is in or near the water, one adult watches, without phones or distractions.
2
Fence and latch
A fence at least four feet high with a self-closing, self-latching gate keeps little ones out when no one is watching.
3
Stay away from drains
Hair, limbs, jewelry and swimsuits can get caught in drains. Safety drain covers and teaching kids help.
4
Learn to swim and learn CPR
Swim lessons and CPR training add layers of protection for everyone.

If someone is in trouble

If a child is missing, check the pool or hot tub first. Seconds count.
Get the person out of the water if you can do so safely, and call 911.
Begin CPR if you are trained and the person is not breathing normally, and continue until help arrives.
Turn off the pump if someone is caught by a drain, if you can reach the switch quickly.
Keep others out of the water until the area is safe.
Once everyone is safe, share what happened so anything unsafe can be fixed. You did exactly the right thing.

Post the home’s address and the 911 reminder by the pool. In an emergency, even calm people can forget their address.

Try it

Pool habits that save lives

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 7

A Water Watcher chosen whenever anyone is swimming, trading off so they stay alert
Pool gate closed and latched, never propped open
Young children and weaker swimmers within arm’s reach, even with floaties
Toys cleared out of the water and away from the edge after swimming
A phone nearby for emergencies, but not as a distraction
Hot tub cover on and locked when it isn’t in use
A broken gate latch, missing drain cover, cloudy water or damaged fencing shared in writing

Try it

Before swim season

From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.

0 of 6

A fence at least four feet high around the pool, with self closing, self latching gates
A cover that meets current safety standards on every pool and spa drain
A sturdy, lockable cover on the hot tub, and a safety cover for the pool when closed
Pool equipment, electrical connections and lighting checked by qualified professionals
Chemicals stored in a cool, dry, locked area, separated as the labels direct
Simple pool rules and the emergency address and phone number posted near the pool

Layers of protection

Supervision, with one adult watching the water, phone down.
A four sided fence with a self latching gate.
Safety drain covers, and pool and spa covers.
Alarms on doors that lead to the pool area, especially for curious toddlers.
Swim lessons, CPR training and life jackets for weaker swimmers.

No single layer is enough on its own.

For owners: when a safety issue is shared

Treat broken gates, missing drain covers and electrical problems as urgent, and close the pool until fixed.
Use a qualified pool professional for water chemistry, equipment and repairs.
Fix damaged fencing, decking or ladders quickly.
Review the pool rules with residents kindly, especially at the start of each season.
Write down what was reported, what was done and when, and follow up to make sure all is well.

Keep chemicals in their original containers, tightly closed. Never mix them, and add chemicals to water, not water to chemicals.

Helpful resources

The guide points to these for details. Rules differ from place to place, so the official pages where your home is are the best guide.

Printable checklist

Like it on paper?

The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.

Get the printable checklist

Sold on Payhip.

Test yourself

How much do you remember?

4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.

From The Perfect Series

Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook

Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.

See The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook All books in The Perfect Series

Keep the full guide handy

The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.

Download the PDF

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This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, medical or safety-code advice. Please use qualified pool professionals for equipment and repairs. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.