• Know your swimming limits and stay within them. Don't try to keep up with a stronger skilled swimmer or encourage others to keep up with you. Keep an eye on weaker swimmers—if they appear tired, encourage them to get out of the water and rest.
  
• Watch out for the "dangerous too's"—too tired, too cold, too much sun, too much strenuous activity. Get out of the water immediately if any of these situations occur.
  
• Stay off the main drain. The suction from the pump could trap you underwater. Learn more about pump suction and safety.
  
• Use common sense regarding food and beverages while swimming.

• Do not chew gum or eat while you swim; you could easily choke.
  
• Never drink alcohol and swim.
  
• Use common sense about swimming after eating. If you have had a large meal, it is wise to let digestion get started before doing strenuous activity such as swimming.

• Obey "No Diving" signs. A general rule is to enter feet first into water rather than head-first if you don't know the depth.
  
• Never dive into an aboveground pool. They are too shallow.
  
• Make sure the pool cover is completely lifted off the pool. Never walk on the pool cover.
  
• Watch the weather: Know local weather conditions and prepare for electrical storms. Because water conducts electricity, stop swimming as soon as you see or hear a storm.
  
• Keep rescue equipment (pole, rope and personal floatation devices) by the pool.
  
• Keep a phone poolside. Program the phone with emergency phone numbers and/or post emergency phone numbers in your pool area.
  
• Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and basic first aid. Post CPR instructions in your pool area.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, remember to CHECK—CALL—CARE.

• CHECK the injured person
• CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency number
  
• CARE for the person until help arrives