Pool alarm

A pool alarm is a device that sounds when something enters the pool. Some float on the surface and sense waves; others sit at the edge or below the waterline. Pool Safely (opens in a new tab) lists pool alarms among the safety devices that can help reduce child drownings, along with fences, covers, door alarms and drain covers.

Alarms have limits. The AAP (opens in a new tab) warns that alarms that detect waves may not go off for a small child, who may not make enough waves. An alarm also only tells you a child is already in the water, so it can never replace a fence that keeps them out.

Use a pool alarm as an extra layer:

• keep the fence and self-latching gate in place;
• add alarms on doors that lead to the pool;
• test the pool alarm often and keep the batteries fresh;
• make sure it is loud enough to hear inside the house.

See pool, gate and door alarms and the pool safety checklist.

What you can do today: test any alarm you have and confirm you can hear it from the room where you spend the most time.