For All Children:

Never leave children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. Make sure adults are trained in life-saving techniques and CPR so they can rescue a child if necessary. Surround your pool on all four sides with a sturdy five-foot fence. Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at a height children can't reach. Keep rescue equipment like a shepherd's hook (a long pole with a hook on the end) and a life preserver. Make sure there is a portable telephone near the pool. Children are not developmentally ready for swim lessons until after their fourth birthday. Swim programs for children under 4 should not be seen as a way to decrease the risk of drowning. Whenever infants or toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within arm's length, providing "touch supervision."

For Younger Children:

Babies under 6 months of age should be kept out of the direct sunlight. Move your baby to the shade or under a tree, umbrella, or the stroller canopy. Dress babies in lightweight clothing that covers the arms and legs and use brimmed hats. Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside, and use sunscreen even on cloudy days. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be at least 15.

For Older Children:

The first, and best, line of defense against the sun is covering up. Wear a hat with a three-inch brim or a bill facing forward, sunglasses (look for sunglasses that block 99-100% of ultraviolet rays), and cotton clothing with a tight weave. Stay in the shade whenever possible, and avoid sun exposure during the peak intensity hours -- between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The risk of tanning and burning also increases at higher altitude. Sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 should be effective for most people. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen - about one ounce per sitting for a young adult. Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or after swimming or sweating. Some self-tanning products contain sunscreen, but others don't, so read the labels carefully. In addition, tanning oils or baby oil may make skin look shiny and soft, but they provide no protection from the sun.

Pool chemicals must be handled with great care. Certain precautions must be taken. Fire, explosion, or release of gas can result from misuse. Read and follow the dosages, directions and precautionary statements on each product label. Keep all pool products away from children.

Pool Chemical Handling Guide:

Keep all chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
Read first aid procedures print on the label before using the product. If the product gets on your skin, in your eyes, is swallowed, or is inhaled, follow the correct procedure from the product label.
Open all pool chemical containers carefully.
Never mix pool chemicals with any other substance.
Never mix different types of pool chemicals. Add each chemical separately.
Only add a pool chemical to the water. Never add water to chemicals.
Use separate, clean utensils and measuring cups for each pool chemical.
Use the exact quantities specified on the product label.
Immediately wash your hands after handling any pool chemical.
If a spill occurs, this requires emergency handling if there is any sign of activity such as a bulging container, bubbling, hissing, gassing, smoking, or fire.

Pool Chemical Storage Guide:

Carefully seal each container tightly after use.
Store pool chemicals in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area under cover.
Keep pool chemicals away from heat or open flame.
Keep pool chemicals away from moisture, garbage, dirt, chemicals (including other pool chemicals), pool chlorinating compounds, household products, muriatic acid, pool stabilizers, soap products, paint products, solvents, acids, vinegar, beverages, oils, pine oil, dirty rags, or any other foreign matter.
Keep pool chemicals away from your lawn, shrubs and trees.
Keep pool chemicals locked or secured to keep children from accessing them.

Pool Chemical Container Disposal Checklist:

Thoroughly rinse empty pool chemical containers before disposing of them; triple rinsing is recommended.
Dispose of all empty chemical containers according to the label directions on that product.
DO NOT throw chemicals in the trash.

Call 1-800-253-9140 for assistance in disposing of chemicals.

A spill requires emergency handling if there is any sign of activity such as a bulging container, bubbling, hissing, gassing, smoking or fire. Call the emergency number if any of your pool chemicals spill.

Arch Chemical Emergency Action Network: 1-800-654-6911