While many parents are aware of the dangers a backyard pool poses to young children, not everyone knows about other drowning hazards around the home. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission offers the following information to help prevent a child from drowning.

GENERAL WATER SAFETY TIPS
• Maintain constant supervision. Watch children around any water environment (pool, stream, lake, tub, hot tub, toilet, bucket of water), no matter what skills your child has acquired and no matter how shallow the water.
• Don't rely on substitutes. The use of bath seats, flotation devices and inflatable toys cannot replace parental/caregiver supervision. Such devices could suddenly shift position, lose air or slip out from underneath a child, creating a drowning hazard.
• Parents/caregivers should take an infant and child CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) course. Knowing these skills is important around the water and will expand your capabilities to provide care for your child - it can be a lifesaver when seconds count.

POOL, SPA AND HOT TUB SAFETY
Enroll children in a water safety course or learn-to-swim program. If you choose to enroll a child under age 4 in a water safety course or learn-to-swim program, know that this is primarily a way for you and your child to have fun together in the water. The American Academy of Pediatrics does NOT recommend swimming lessons for kids under age 4 because they are developmentally not yet ready. It will not make your child “drown-proof,” but will teach important behaviors about water safety, such as not pushing, running, diving in shallow water, or swimming alone.
Never leave a child unobserved in a pool. Adult supervision is essential. A parent's/caregiver's eyes must be on the child at all times.
Install a phone by the pool or keep a cordless phone nearby so you can call 9-1-1 in an emergency. Better yet, put 9-1-1 in your speed dial. Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
Enclose the pool completely with a barrier. Fences should be at least four feet high and have self-latching, self-closing gates. Layers of protection are important, so also consider using door and pool alarms and pool safety covers.
Be sure to lock or remove ladders from aboveground pools. Remove all toys from pools to avoid children being tempted to retrieve them.
Hot tubs pose a drowning risk to children and overheating risks to very young children. Always secure safety covers and barriers to prevent children from gaining access to spas or hot tubs when not in use.
If a child is missing, always look in the pool or spa first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.

BATH SAFETY
• Before you begin bathing your child, have all supplies within arm's reach and in front of you.
• DO NOT leave a baby unattended for even a second. If you need to leave the bathroom, take the baby with you. Do not rely on older children to watch the baby for you.
• Baby bath seats and baby bathtubs are not substitutes for supervision. They are only bathing aids, not safety devices. All warnings and manufacturer's instructions should be strictly followed when using a baby bath seat.
• If the bath seat moves or tips while your child is in it, stop using it.
• Never leave a child unattended while filling the bathtub and always empty bath water immediately after use. Babies can drown in as little as one inch of water.
• Test water temperature with your elbow or a thermometer. Temperature should be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Consider placing a latch on the bathroom door to keep children out of the bathroom when unsupervised.
• Keep the toilet lid down to prevent access to the water, and consider using a toilet seat lock to stop children from opening the lid.

SAFETY AROUND THE HOUSE
Never leave a container such as a bucket with even a small amount of liquid unattended. When finished using a container, empty it immediately. Do not leave empty containers outside in the yard or around the house where they may accumulate water and attract young children.
Other items that contain liquids that may be hazardous are sinks, coolers, fish tanks and landscape ponds.