• Follow the pool rules and listen to whoever is supervising the pool.
• Wear a life vest if you don't know how to swim.
• Please don't swallow the pool water.
• Keep glass away from the pool area.
• Never swim alone.
• Electrical devices are not permitted in the pool area.
• Be careful using pool slides. Don't slide down pool slides head first.
• Never chew gum in the water.
• Long hair can cause drowning! Keep long hair away from drains.
• One person on the diving board at a time.
• Please don't run in the swimming area.
• In an emergency, call 911.

• Learn to swim. 
• Always enter unknown water feet first.
• Check the water for depth and hazards before diving off a raft or pier. 
• One person at a time when diving off a diving board.
• Dive off only the end of the diving Board. 
• Don't dive if you have been using drugs or alcohol. 
• The minimum depth for diving is 9 feet. (Source: Red Cross).
• Children should learn to dive from a competent instructor.

• Pool Safety Evaluation Form (PDF - 21 KB) 
  This form is courtesy of West Central Florida Drowning Prevention Coalition in cooperation with Pinellas County EMS and the Office of Medical Director.

• Designate someone to be the "water watcher".
• Don't ask the water watcher to observe the water for too long without a break.
• Familiarize the water watcher with the location of rescue equipment and the poolside phone.
• Be sure the water watcher can swim.
• Water watchers should not be drinking alcoholic beverages.
• Being a water watcher requires concentration.
• Teenagers should not be water watchers.
• Everyone in the pool should know that the water watcher is in charge for safety.
• Water watchers should not leave the water area without a relief water watcher.

Parasite in lake and pond water causes a rare but potentially life threatening infection.

Amoeba Warning Information (PDF - 193 KB)

• Building a Pool (see U.S. Commission for Consumer Product Safety).
• Boating and Watercraft (see United States Coast Guard).
• Be Safe - Always Follow Lifeguard Instructions.

• S - Supervise children closely while they are in or near the water.
• P - Place a phone poolside for emergencies.
• L - Learn to swim and have children learn to swim.
• A - To aid in a crisis, everyone should learn CPR and First Aid.  
• S - Swim with other people. Never swim alone.
• H - Protect your head. Dive safely and teach your children to dive safely.

• "Prevent Childhood Drowning" Main Menu
• Childhood Drowning Prevention Swim Instruction and Water Safety Resources