When we first started gathering material for this special homeowner’s edition, we realized that a most valuable message on drowning prevention, and perhaps the most wise, would come from people who have lost a loved one in a backyard swimming pool.

Unfortunately it was all too easy to find a large group of people that grows in size daily.

The group is called Families United — A collection of smaller organizations that have come together for the worst possible reason: the loss or near loss of someone they love to a water tragedy.

Families United is made up of a core of 75 people, representing 24 different organizations that promote specific aspects of water safety.

Drowning Prevention Check List

If a child is missing…

CHECK THE POOL FIRST!

If there are many people around …

NO ONE IS WATCHING THE POOL!

If your neighbor has a pool… YOUR CHILD CAN GET IN IT!

If you are waiting for splashing, there is no noise when a person is drowning.

Toddler’s can climb into above ground pools.

Children can crawl through doggie doors and get into swimming pools.

Pool covers come off and only you can assure that it is on.

Swim lessons help prevent drowning but don’t come with a guarantee.