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.

Try to keep children out of the sun between 10 am and 4 pm – that’s when the sun’s rays are strongest.

• 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.
• Make sure the gates self-close and self-latch at height children can’t reach.
• Keep rescue equipment (a shepherd’s hook – a long pole with a hook on the end – and life preserver) and a portable telephone near the pool.
• Avoid inflatable swimming aids such as “floaties.” They are not a substitute for approved life vests and can give children a false sense of security.
• 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.”