Be Summer Safe-
Backyard Pool Safety |
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A Safety Reminder
WARNING! WARNING! WARNING!
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission, an estimated 260 children under five years of age
drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. Nationally,
drowning is the fourth lead cause of death to children under five.
In states such as California, Florida, and Arizona, drowning is
the leading cause of accidental death to children under five.
Many people assume that at a residence with a
pool, the danger of drowning only occurs when the family is outside
or using the pool. But, a common scenario takes place when young
children leave the house with out a parent or caregiver realizing
it. Children are drawn to water, not knowing the terrible danger
pools can pose.
Drowning happens quickly and silently, often
without any splashing or screaming. The key to preventing tragedies
is to have layer of protections. This includes placing barriers
around the pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely
supervising your child and being prepared in an emergency.
Tips to prevent drowning:
- Do not consider
young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming
lessons; young children should always be supervised carefully
while swimming.
- Do not
leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
- Do not
use flotation devices as a substitute
for supervision.
- Never use a pool with its pool cover partially
in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove
the pool cover completely.
- Place table and chairs well away from the
pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
- Make sure doors leading to the pool area are
closed and locked. Young children can quickly slip away and
into the pool.
- Have a telephone at poolside to avoid having
to leave children unattended in or near the pool to answer a
telephone elsewhere.
- Keep emergency numbers at the poolside telephone.
- Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
- Remove steps to above ground pools and spas
when not in use.
- Keep toys away from the pool area because
a young child playing with toys could accidentally fall in the
water.
- Instruct baby-sitters about potential hazards
to young children in and around swimming pools and the need
for constant supervision.
- If a child is missing,
always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death
or disability.
