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Let’s work together to be safe around water

SRP brings water to the Valley, and we care about your safety around it. As part of our commitment to the community, we partner with local organizations to provide tools to help keep you safe around water.

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    Water safety is a shared responsibility

    Drowning is the third most common cause of unintentional injury-related deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. As a community-based not-for-profit water and power company, SRP partners with local community groups, agencies and organizations to increase awareness and promote water safety.

    Are you a water safety pro? Take our water safety quizOpen new site. to find out!

    An image of a water watcher watching people enjoying the pool.

    Think safety first, assign a water watcher

    If kids will be around water, whether at the lake or the pool, assign a few capable adults who know how to swim and perform CPR in case of an emergency to be water watchers.

    • Ask water watchers to put away all distractions, such as electronic devices and books.
    • Make sure water watchers know the address.
    • If at a pool, water watchers should scan the bottom of the pool before leaving and lock the pool gate.
    • Water watchers must actively watch those in their care, being sure to scan the area and keep count of everyone in the group, not just children.
    An image of a safety fence around the pool.

    Create a safe space

    • Enclose your pool with a self-closing, self-locking fence with vertical bars. Have multiple barriers in place as added safety measures.
    • When near a pool, lock any pool gates each time someone enters or exits. Never prop a gate open.
    • Be aware of buckets, puddles, ponds and play structures that may be safety hazards.
    • Move outdoor furniture inside the pool fence to prevent children from using it to climb over the fence. Also, remove any toys from the pool area that might attract kids.
    • Lock doors and windows and secure dog doors that lead to pools. Empty kiddie pools and buckets.
    • Make it a habit to close doors to laundry rooms and bathrooms.

    Take courses and teach children safety

    • Learn how to perform CPR on infants, children and adults. Knowing can save lives.
    • Teach all kids to swim at an appropriate age and remember that it’s never too late for adults to learn how to swim.
    • Teach kids about water safety around open water, pools and canals.
    • Be aware of undertow and teach children about the dangers of water currents in all forms of water, including canals, lakes, streams, rivers and pools.
    An image of a child wearing an approved life jacket in the pool.

    Use life-saving equipment

    • Don't depend on floating toys; they are not designed to save lives. Use approved lifesaving devices such as life jackets.
    • Look for the U.S. Coast Guard-approved label on life jackets and ensure proper fit by weight.

    Watch this video from Safe Kids Worldwide on how to properly fit a life jacketOpen new site..

    Free resources

    SRP provides free water safety materials, most of which are available in both English and Spanish. Request materials for your school, classroom or youth group below.

    Request safety materials
    Get a community pool gate sign or water safety themed notepad.

    See what's available
    Water safety checklist 
    Use this checklist to keep your family safe around water. 

    Download the checklistDocument is a PDF
    Water safety coloring book (grades K–4)
    Teach children about water safety with this fun coloring book.

    Get your coloring bookDocument is a PDF
    For water watchers
    Always make sure to designate a water watcher when swimming.

    Print a wearable water watcher tagDocument is a PDF

    Pool Fence Safety Program

    SRP has partnered with Child Crisis Arizona and United Phoenix Firefighters Charities to address water safety in our community. The Pool Fence Safety Program is designed to provide families in need with the opportunity to apply for a free pool fence.

    Swimming lessons and workshops

    SRP sponsors classes, workshops and events Valleywide to help educate our communities about water safety.

    Safe swimming isn’t just for kids. Always swim with a buddy or let someone know where you’ll be swimming and for how long.

    Swimming lessons

    Learning to swim is one of the best ways to keep you and your family safe around water. We sponsor swimming lessons for adults and children at locations across the Valley.

    Playing it Safe with Phoenix Children’s Hospital

    In partnership with Phoenix Children’s Hospital, SRP hosts free Playing it Safe water safety workshopsOpen new site. for parents and caregivers of children ages 5 and younger. During this one-hour workshop, adults will learn:

    • Basic water safety
    • Ways to reduce stress at the swimming pool
    • Tips for supervising swimmers

    Workshops can be scheduled for small groups or individuals. For more information, email tisaacson@phoenixchildrens.org.

    Safe Summer/Verano Sano

    SRP donates water safety kits to community pools and aquatic centers around the Valley. This summer, look for a pool safety event at a community pool near you. See community events calendar.