According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year nationwide, more than 300 children 5 years old and under drown in residential swimming pools.  It usually happens in a pool owned by their own family.  In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injures. 

CPSC offers the following tips for pool owners:

• Never leave a child unsupervised in or near a pool.
• Instruct babysitters and older children about potential hazards to young children in and around swimming pools and the need for constant supervision.
• Completely fence the pool.  Install self-closing and self-latching gates.  Position latches out of reach of young children.  Keep all doors and windows leading to the pool area secure to prevent small children from getting to the pool? 
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it.  Remove the cover completely.
• Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
• Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
• Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
• Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a telephone elsewhere.  Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.

When it comes to door alarms, CPSC also suggests in detail:

• If the house forms one side of the barrier, then doors leading from the house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce an audible sound when a door is unexpectedly opened. 
• Install an alarm that can be temporarily turned off by an adult for a single opening of the door by using a keypad or switch that is out of a child's reach.

          Battery and electrically powered alarms are readily available. The key pad switch can be used by adults who wish to pass through the door without setting off the alarm.  It should be placed high on all doors leading from the house to the pool.  An alarm signal immediately tells a parent that a door has been opened. 

          Affordable and easily installed alarms are available. One suggested product is the S087 - Techno Safe Pool Area Entry Alarm with Sensor (www.HomeSecurityStore.com $27).  The Safe Pool provides a high volume alarm alert when children have entered a pool or spa area.  The S087 can be used outdoors on wood or metal gates, or indoors on doorways leading directly to potentially dangerous areas.

          Another suggested product is the PIRV400R - Chamberlain Reporter Extra Wireless Motion Sensor (www.HomeSecurityStore.com $58).  The Chamberlain Reporter can provide security for multiple points on your property simply by adding an extra sensor.  You can place a sensor at your front or backyard gate as well as near your swimming pool.