Systems and methods for improving water safety are provided. The methods include various features based on monitoring the area around a pool. Benefits are gained by applying artificial intelligence algorithms, as well as various techniques for improving processing speed and eliminating false alarms. A method for promoting water safety includes the steps of: video monitoring an area including around a body of water, and above or at a top surface of the water; detecting a presence of a human suspect in the monitored area through processing images of the video with computer implemented artificial intelligence; storing an image upon detection of the human suspect in the monitored area; processing the stored image to determine if the detection was a false alarm; and if the human suspect is determined to be a human in the monitored area, then transmitting an alert, either to a device in the area being monitored, to a mobile device, or both.