Vacation season is rapidly approaching. More families are choosing vacation rental homes over traditional hotels for added space, privacy, and convenience. With this shift, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges families to consider these important safety recommendations when looking to rent homes that include pools.
Before you book and before you swim, know what to look for and how to stay safe this summer.
Know the Stats
CPSC is aware of at least 64 fatal and non-fatal pool drownings in vacation rental homes involving children under 15 years old since 2021. Out of the 64 incidents, 54 incidents specifically involved a fatal drowning, and 10 incidents specifically involved a non-fatal drowning.
Know the Safety Measures
While no measure can eliminate drowning risk entirely, there are several proactive steps vacationers can take to help keep children safer in and around the water at a rental home, including these critical simple safety steps:
- Supervise Children at the Pool: Never leave children unattended in or around water. Vacation rentals don’t have lifeguards present, so it is important to always supervise young swimmers without any distractions. While property owners can enhance pool safety, parents and caregivers play the most immediate role in preventing drowning. This is especially true when children are not used to having a pool in their yard at home.
- Look for Homes That Follow Safety Recommendations: Before you book a rental home, check if important safety barriers like self-latching gates, pool door alarms, and non-climbable four-sided fencing are installed to prevent unsupervised children from accessing pools and spas. Pools and spas should also have raised drain covers to prevent entrapment, in compliance with the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act.
- Teach Kids to Swim: Ensure your children receive proper swimming instruction and are comfortable in the water. Your local YMCA or community center can be great places to register for free or reduced-cost swimming lessons.
Practice Pool Safety and Save Lives on Vacation
Water safety should never take a vacation!
For more information about each of these steps, visit: https://www.poolsafety.gov/parents/safety-tips/.