Swim Healthy Virginia

The week before Memorial Day, May 19-25, 2025, marks the 21st annual Healthy and Safe Swimming Week. Nationwide, communities will be collaborating and engaging in discussion about how to maximize the health benefits of water-based physical activity while minimizing the risk of recreational water–associated illness and injury.

Water Safety Toolkit - This toolkit contains VDH brochures, posters, and links to other partners information in one convenient location.

CDC- Healthy Swimming Visit this website to download a variety of health promotion materials, including brochures, fact sheets, info-graphics, and more.
Prevent Drowning: Take the Pool Safely Pledge!

VDH is urging parents and caregivers to take the Pool Safely Pledge (en Español) as the Commonwealth continues to see a concerning rise in accidental drownings among children under the age of five in swimming pools. Pool Safely is a national public education campaign led by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to help prevent child drownings and entrapments in pools and spas. The pledge – available for both adults and children – takes less than a minute and reinforces simple, life-saving safety practices.

The adult pledge includes commitment to:

Designate a water watcher every single time children in their care are in or near the water.

Make sure their kids know how to swim.

Learn CPR.

Always remove portable pool ladders when not in use and ensure all permanent pools have a proper fence and gate and anti-entrapment drain covers.

The children's pledge includes reminders to:

Never swim alone.

Ask their parents to sign them up for swimming lessons.

Stay away from drains in the pool or hot tub.

Have fun and always follow these safety steps in and around the water.
A message from the Consumer Product and Safety Commission:

2025 Pool and Spa Drain Cover Safety Letter
Do your own inspection

Before getting into any treated water, do your own inspection. Check the following items to see if they pass your inspection:

Water’s pH and free chlorine or bromine concentration are correct.* Proper pH and disinfectant levels help stop the spread of germs in the water. Virginia pool regulations require free chlorine and bromine residuals and pH values and temperature to be continuously maintained within the following ranges:

For added protection, be sure to check for:

Drain at the bottom of the deep end is visible. Crystal-clear water allows lifeguards and other swimmers to clearly see swimmers underwater.

Drain covers at the bottom appear to be secured and in good repair.

Lifeguard is on duty. If not, safety equipment, such as a rescue ring or pole, is available.

If you find any problems during inspection, do NOT get into the water. Tell the person in charge so the problems can be fixed.

*Use test strips to test pH and free chlorine or bromine concentration. Most superstores, hardware stores, and pool-supply stores sell test strips. Follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Learn more by visiting the CDC's Healthy Swimming webpage.
Did you know that Virginia Pool Regulations require hot tubs and other heated aquatic venues to keep water temperature at or below 104°F.? Water temperatures above 104°F can be harmful to your health and may result in illness or injury. Make sure you know the temperature of a hot tub before getting in!
Consumer Product Safety Commission Recalls Above Ground Pools

Bestway, Intex, and Polygroup Recall Certain Above-Ground Pools 48-Inches and Taller Due to Drowning Hazard; Nine Deaths Reported; Five Million Pools Sold Since 2002