Child Pool Safety 101: 5 Essential Layers of Pool Safety

Your backyard pool should be a source of joy, not worry. But did you know that drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4 and the second leading cause for kids 5–14?

The most alarming part?

Drowning happens silently, in as little as 20–60 seconds. There’s no splashing, no yelling—just a child slipping beneath the surface.

The good news is that drowning is preventable. By putting the right safety measures in place, you can drastically reduce risks and create a safer swimming environment for your family.

01. Physical Barriers

Many drownings happen when parents believe their child is safely inside, only to realize too late that they’ve slipped outside. If your pool area is accessible through a door, a fully enclosed pool fence is essential to prevent direct access.

If you turned your back for ten seconds, could your child get into the pool? If the answer isn’t a firm no, a secure physical barrier is a must.

Does your fence meet safety standards?

Pool Fence Checklist

• At least 4 feet high to prevent climbing.
• Self-closing, self-latching gate with a latch at 54" or higher.
• No gaps where a child could squeeze through or under.
• Gate that fully encloses the pool, preventing direct access from the house or play areas.

02. Smart Alarms & Sensors

No safety measure is perfect on its own. Even with a locked fence, a determined toddler or distracted guest can create an unexpected risk.

Smart alarms give you the critical seconds you need to react before a tragedy happens.

Four Key Pool Alarms to Consider

• GateWave Sentinel: Alerts you immediately when a pool gate is opened, preventing unnoticed access.
• GateWave Guardian: Notifies you if a window leading to the pool area is opened, helping prevent unauthorized entry.
• Surface Wave Alarms: Detect ripples when someone enters the water, making them ideal for larger pools.
• Wearable Immersion Alarms: Wristbands that trigger an alarm if submerged, perfect for young children.

03. Adult Supervision

A locked gate. A high fence. A pool alarm. None of these can replace the watchful eye of an engaged adult.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that in 69% of fatal drownings, at least one parent was nearby—but they didn’t notice in time. This is why active supervision is the single most important layer of pool safety.

Tips for Active Supervision

• Stay within arm’s reach of young children in the water.
• Designate a Water Watcher—one adult should be fully focused on watching swimmers (no phones or distractions).
• Don’t rely on arm floaties—use U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets.

04. Swim Lessons

Imagine this: your child slips into the pool while no one is looking. In that critical moment, would they know how to float, kick to the edge, or call for help?

Swim lessons are more than just a fun activity—they’re a life-saving skill. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), formal swim lessons can reduce drowning risk by up to 88% for children ages 1–4.

Swim Lessons & Water Safety

• Start infant survival swim lessons as young as 6 months old.
• Teach kids how to call for help and understand "Reach or Throw, Don’t Go."
• Pair lessons with alarms and barriers for added safety.

05. CPR & Emergency Preparedness

Even with every safety measure in place, emergencies can still happen. The question isn’t if an accident might occur—it’s whether you’re prepared to respond when it does.

Must-Have Emergency Plan

• Post emergency contacts & CPR instructions where they’re easily visible.
• Keep a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life ring or shepherd’s hook nearby.
• Stock a well-equipped first aid kit with essentials like waterproof bandages and a CPR mask.
• Learn CPR and first aid—only 1 in 10 parents know CPR, yet 75% of drowning incidents happen in home pools.

No Single Layer is Enough—You Need All Five

Pool safety isn’t about one precaution—it’s about layering multiple protections.

If you hesitated on any of these, now is the time to act.

Download GateWave's Ultimate Pool Safety Checklist and make sure your backyard pool is as safe as it is fun.