Making your Home Water Safe

How You Can Help Make Your Home Water Safe

Every year many young children drown in or around their own homes. Not all of these accidents happen in swimming pools. A small child can drown in quite a small amount of water, in a bucket of water for example. Buckets, bathtubs, coolers, fountains, fishponds, drains, inflatable pools, and even pet bowls all pose a significant drowning risk especially to younger children. It is crucial that these are emptied, covered, put away and not left where they can fill up with water.

Bathrooms can be very unsafe for young children if they are left alone

• It is dangerous for a young child to be in a bath alone.
• Make sure that the bathtub or shower drain plug can't be reached and the pop up stopper is open after each use.
• Make sure the sink has the drain plug out and pop up stoppers are open after each use.
• Keep bathroom doors closed to prevent small children from accessing alone.
• Use a rubber mat the bathtub or shower to help prevent slipping and falling.
• Keep the toilet seat closed when not in use.

Small children are attracted to water wherever it is, even inside washing machines

• Make sure that the lid is closed on a top-loading and front loading washing machines.
• Make sure the sink has the drain plug out and pop up stoppers are open after each use.
• Keep laundry room doors closed to prevent small children from accessing alone.

Outside the home

• Turn over empty buckets and containers outside so they don’t hold water.
• Hot tubs need to have hard covers over them when they are not being used.
• Make sure that the hot tub cover is on and locked before any children go near it.
• Fishponds or fountains that hold water around them can be dangerous.
• Fishponds need to have covers over them to stop children from falling in.
• Never allow children to play in storm drainage areas at any time.
• Always tell children in your care that to stay S.A.F.E means to Stay Away From Edges.
• Remember that plants and grasses often hide the edge of waterways.

Remember - anything that collects water can be a source of drowning danger.

For more tips, visit:

• Water Safety Tips
• Red Cross - Preparing for Water Safety Emergencies

Additional Resources: