USVI-On-Line

flip-flop wrote: The best tip ever ... take Gram or other people who LOVE your kids. They make all the difference in the world.

I do so agree. As a doting grandma, there is no problem asking me to keep an eye on the darling grandchild and do nothing else.
We traveled with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson when the grandson was 18 months. We went to Captiva Island in Florida, and had to watch him around the pools and the beach. He thought it was hysterical to go run and jump into the pool, watching all the adults go screaming after him. He gave all of us grey hairs that trip. I wish we had had those flotation suits mentioned earlier. My brother has a pool in his backyard, and he keeps a few of them on hand for his granddaughter and any friends she might have along as well as for neices and nephews.The are a literal lifesaver. You still must keep a vigilant watch over them, but it is so much safer than without.
McPenguin5

The Y and Red Cross have been teaching these kinds of classes to toddlers for years.
Try not to hold YOUR breath watching this video...do not hit "enter website" just wait a few seconds for it to start...

http://www.childdrowningprevention.com/index.html

Wow, I did not know that pool drains could be such a hazard! What a terrible story.

One of the reasons I have never taken my niece and nephew to St. John is because I am worried about the pool at the house. I take them to Florida every year, and by state law the pools in rental houses have to be fenced in around the pool perimeter with nylon pool fencing and there is also an alarm on the door going out to the pool room. It makes me feel a little better about having the pool there.

I never saw danger at every turn until I had a child of my own.

Pool drains and intakes are a huge hazard. I remember hearing about that little girl that got stuck. (Shudder)

Even drains in the deep end of the pool can suck body parts and clothing fast to the strainer if the intake isn't fitted with a safety cover.

Hubs serves on a community pool board that is in the process of updating all components and I now know more about killer pools than I ever wanted to know.

Wow, I hadn't heard about the pool drains. Thank you for all you input. We will be extremely vigilant. I like the idea of making someone in charge and the token seemed a good idea as well.