Water safety
New York State Education Law requires school districts to provide families with information about water safety, drowning prevention and safe, healthy swimming at the beginning of each school year.
Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, making prevention, supervision and swimming skills critical for children of all ages. Whether your family visits pools, lakes, rivers or beaches, following basic water safety practices can help prevent injuries and save lives.
Drowning Prevention
The best way to prevent drowning is through active supervision and preparation.
Always:
- Designate a responsible adult to actively watch children whenever they are in or near water.
- Stay within arm's reach of young or inexperienced swimmers.
- Avoid distractions such as cell phones, conversations or reading while supervising children.
- Never assume someone else is watching.
- Teach children to ask permission before entering the water.
- Learn CPR and basic water rescue skills.
Swimming Skills
Learning to swim is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of drowning.
Families are encouraged to:
- Enroll children in age-appropriate swimming lessons.
- Continue practicing swimming skills throughout childhood.
- Recognize that swimming lessons reduce, but do not eliminate the risk of drowning.
- Understand each swimmer's abilities and limitations.
Life Jackets
Life jackets save lives.
When boating or participating in open-water activities:
- Wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
- Children should wear life jackets whenever they are around natural bodies of water or participating in boating activities.
- Water wings, inflatable toys and pool noodles are not life-saving devices and should never replace adult supervision or life jackets.
Safe and Healthy Swimming
Help keep everyone healthy by following these swimming practices:
- Do not swim if you are sick with diarrhea.
- Shower before entering the pool.
- Take children on regular bathroom breaks.
- Change diapers away from the pool.
- Avoid swallowing pool water.
- Follow all posted pool rules and instructions from lifeguards and staff.
- Never run on wet pool decks or engage in horseplay.
Open Water Safety
Natural bodies of water present additional hazards.
Remember to:
- Swim only in designated swimming areas.
- Obey warning flags and posted signs.
- Never swim alone.
- Be aware of changing weather conditions.
- Exit the water immediately if thunder or lightning is observed.
- Be cautious of currents, changing depths and underwater hazards.
Breath-Holding Games Are Dangerous
Holding your breath underwater or participating in breath-holding contests can lead to shallow water blackout, which may cause a swimmer to lose consciousness without warning.
Never encourage or participate in underwater breath-holding games.
Gates Chili Swimming Pool Safety
The Gates Chili Central School District operates its high school pool in accordance with New York State Department of Health requirements and maintains a comprehensive swimming pool safety plan. The district's plan includes procedures for:
- Certified lifeguard supervision
- Emergency response
- Injury prevention
- Facility inspections and maintenance
- Water quality monitoring
- Staff training
- Emergency communication and reporting
The district's indoor pool is staffed using New York State-required lifeguard supervision and emergency procedures during instructional programs and other approved uses.
Additional water safety information is available from: