Sleepover Water Safety Checklist

Before your child sleeps over at a friend’s, a relative’s or a rental, confirm who is watching, what water is on the property and what the night-time plan is. Ask early, ask kindly, and keep a plan for your own child either way.

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📞 Step 1: Ask the Host Family

Is there a pool, hot tub, pond, creek or beach nearby? Include inflatable pools, fountains and large buckets.
Is it fenced on all four sides with a self-latching gate? Ask whether doors that open to the pool are alarmed or locked.
Will anyone swim, and who will be the designated Water Watcher? One adult, eyes on the water, no phone, no drinks, no chores.
Is the pool covered and locked once swimming ends? Ask where the gate key or cover control is kept overnight.
Are Coast Guard-approved life jackets available in the right size? If your child is a beginner, pack their own.
Who will be awake and who will be in charge at night and early morning? Early risers are a real gap.

🧒 Step 2: Rules Your Child Carries With Them

Never go near water without asking an adult first. That includes the pool, hot tub and bathtub, day or night.
Wake a grown-up if a friend wants to swim in the dark or early. Say it kindly: “I am not allowed. Let’s go ask.”
Never swim alone and never dare a friend. No breath-holding contests or jumping in from the edge.
Tell a grown-up your honest swim level. Beginners stay within reach and wear a life jacket.
Know the exit word. Pick a family code word your child can text or say to be picked up with no questions asked.

🌙 Step 3: Night-Time and Morning Plan

Moment	Risk to plan for	What to confirm
Evening swim	Many kids, low light, tired adults	Named Water Watcher, lights on, life jackets for beginners
After swimming ends	Open gate or uncovered pool	Gate latched, cover on, toys put away
Lights out	Kids slip outside unseen	Door alarms or locks, an adult sleeping near the exit
Early morning	First kids awake wander to the water	Adult up first, rule: nobody goes outside without a grown-up
Missing child	Emergency	Check water first, then call 911

If a child is missing, check the pool, hot tub and any water first, even if you think they went elsewhere, and call 911 right away. Seconds matter.

🎒 Step 4: Pack and Prepare

Pack a snug, properly fitted life jacket if your child is a beginner or non-swimmer.
Write the host’s name, address and phone in the plan below, and share your own contact details.
Talk through the rules in the car. Two minutes, in your child’s own words.
Check the pickup plan. Agree on a time and a code word for an early pickup.
If answers are unclear, host at your place instead. A friendly alternative is always an option.

🗓️ Step 5: Our Sleepover Plan

Host family and phone

Address

Water on the property

Water Watcher

Our family code word

Pickup time and who

A line to remember: “Ask first, never alone, wake a grown-up.” Say it before every sleepover.