Pool Safety Tips for Toronto Families

Drowning is quick and quiet. It rarely looks like the splashing and shouting people imagine, and a child can slip under in the time it takes to answer a phone. That’s why the first rule on this page isn’t about equipment at all.

For young children

• Name a “water watcher.” At gatherings, one adult’s only job is to watch the pool, with no phone and no drink. Hand the job over explicitly, out loud, when it changes.
• Stay within arm’s reach of toddlers and weak swimmers, even if they’re wearing a life jacket.
• Use proper life jackets, not inflatable arm bands or toys, for children who can’t swim.
• Clear toys out of the pool when swim time ends. Floating toys are exactly what pulls small children to the edge.
• Swimming lessons help, but they don’t make a child “drown-proof.” Supervision still matters.

For older kids and teens

• No diving into shallow water, and no diving at all unless the pool is designed and marked for it.
• No running on the deck. Wet concrete and stone are slippery.
• No breath-holding contests or hyperventilating before swimming underwater. These can cause blackout underwater with little warning.
• Agree on the rules before friends come over, not in the middle of the party.

For adults

• Alcohol and swimming don’t mix, especially at night.
• Learn CPR and first aid. Organizations such as the Lifesaving Society and the Canadian Red Cross run courses across the GTA.
• Keep a phone, a reaching pole and a ring buoy by the pool.

The yard and the pool itself

Fences and gates. In Toronto, pool enclosures are regulated under Municipal Code Chapter 447 (Fences), and York Region municipalities such as Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill have their own pool enclosure by-laws. They cover things like height, gaps and gates. Check the current rules for your municipality before you build or change a fence. As a rule of good practice, gates should self-close and self-latch, swing away from the pool, and never be propped open.

Drain and suction covers. Missing, cracked or loose drain covers can trap hair, limbs or swimsuits. Check them at opening, and keep the pool closed until a damaged cover is replaced.

Electrical. Keep extension cords, speakers and chargers well away from the water. Pumps, heaters and lights should be properly bonded and on ground-fault protection. If you ever feel a tingle in the water, get everyone out and keep them out, and have the system checked.

Chemicals. Store them locked away, in original containers, with chlorine and acid kept apart. Our pool chemicals guide has the storage basics.

Winter. A closed pool is still a hazard. A properly installed safety cover is built to support the weight of a child or pet who walks onto it. A loose tarp is not.

If something goes wrong

1. Get the person out of the water, if you can do it safely.
2. Call 911, or have someone else call while you help.
3. Start CPR if they’re not breathing normally, and continue until help arrives.
4. Keep everyone else out of the pool.

Questions we get asked

Do I need a fence if I have a safety cover?

Yes. A safety cover doesn’t replace the enclosure your municipality requires, and it’s off for the whole swimming season.

Can you check my pool for safety issues?

A pool inspection can look over drains, fittings, equipment and the general condition of the pool. Fence and gate compliance is set by your municipality.

Are pool alarms worth it?

They can be a useful extra layer, especially gate alarms. Treat them as a backup to fences and supervision, not a replacement.