Prevent Drowning: Take the Pool Safely Pledge! 

VDH is urging parents and caregivers to take the Pool Safely Pledge (en Español) as the Commonwealth continues to see a concerning rise in accidental drownings among children under the age of five in swimming pools. Pool Safely is a national public education campaign led by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help prevent child drownings and entrapments in pools and spas. The pledge – available for both adults and children – takes less than a minute and reinforces simple, life-saving safety practices. 

The adult pledge includes commitment to: 

• Designate a water watcher every single time children in their care are in or near the water. 

• Make sure their kids know how to nadar. 

• Aprender RCP. 

• Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use and ensure all permanent pools have a proper fence and gate and anti-entrapment drain covers. 

The children's pledge includes reminders to: 

• Nunca nade solo. 

• Pídeles a sus padres que los inscriban en clases de natación. 

• Manténgase alejado de los desagües de la piscina o la bañera de hidromasaje. 

• Diviértete y sigue siempre estas medidas de seguridad dentro y alrededor del agua.