Summer pool safety tips for families during Healthy and Safe Swimming Week

As families head into pool season, the CDC is highlighting the importance of drowning prevention, healthy swimming habits, and safe pool chemical handling during Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, an annual awareness campaign focused on reducing water-related injuries and illnesses.

According to the CDC, drowning remains the leading cause of death for children aged 1 to 4 years. The agency also reports that pool chemical injuries account for approximately 4500 emergency department visits each year in the United States, with more than one-third occurring in children and adolescents.

The following reminders and recommendations are adapted from the CDC’s guidance on keeping pools safe and healthy and can serve as a practical reference for families throughout the summer.

Tips to prevent drowning

• Ensure all swimmers learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
• Maintain constant, close supervision of children in and around water.
• Use US Coast Guard–approved life jackets when appropriate.
• Learn how to recognize a swimmer in distress and how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
• Prevent unsupervised access to home pools.
• Install a 4-sided fence that completely encloses the pool and separates it from the home.
• Use self-closing and self-latching pool gates.

Tips to prevent pool chemical injuries

Pool chemicals help prevent the spread of germs that can cause recreational water illnesses, but improper handling can lead to injury.

The CDC recommends that families do the following:

• Read and follow all instructions on product labels.
• Wear protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, and masks when handling chemicals.
• Store pool chemicals securely and away from children and pets.
• Never mix different pool chemicals together unless directed by the manufacturer.

Recommended pool chemical levels

To help keep pool water safe and reduce the spread of germs, the CDC recommends checking chlorine, bromine, and pH levels at least twice daily, especially during periods of heavy pool use.

Typical recommended ranges include:

• Chlorine: 1 to 4 parts per million (ppm)
• Bromine: 3 to 8 ppm
• pH: 7.0 to 7.8

Pool owners should also follow all manufacturer recommendations for testing and maintenance.

Healthy swimming habits

The CDC recommends the following practices to reduce the spread of germs in pools:

• Do not swim if you have diarrhea.
• Shower for at least 1 minute before entering the water.
• Avoid swallowing pool water.
• Avoid urinating or defecating in the water.
• Check diapers every hour for infants and toddlers using the pool.
• Change diapers away from the pool area.
• Take children on regular bathroom breaks.
• Dry ears thoroughly with a towel after swimming to help prevent swimmer’s ear.

Reference

Guidelines for keeping your pool safe and healthy. CDC. Updated 2026. Accessed May 13, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-swimming/campaign-hssw/index.html?ACSTrackingID=USCDC_415-DM155088&ACSTrackingLabel=Get%20Ready%3A%20Healthy%20and%20Safe%20Swimming%20Week&deliveryName=USCDC_415-DM155088