Swimming Pool Safety Tips

Swimming pools can be very enjoyable; they can also be very dangerous. In fact statistics show that 300 children under age 5 die and 2,000 more children under age five visit hospital emergency rooms for submersion injuries every year.

In some of the nation's Sunbelt, drowning has been the leading cause of accidental death in the home of children under 5 years old. The information below can help parents and caregivers provide young children with the protection they deserve. Each year, nationwide, more than 300 children under 5 years old drown in residential swimming pools, usually a pool owned by their family. In addition, more than 2,000 children in that age group are treated in hospital emergency rooms for submersion injures.

Swimming Pool Safety Tips

• Instruct babysitters about potential pool hazards to young children and about the use of protective devices, such as door alarms and latches.
• Emphasize the need for constant supervision.
• Never leave a child unsupervised near a pool.
• During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated watcher" to protect young children from pool accidents.
• Adults may take turns being the "watcher."
• When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk.
• If a child is missing, check the pool first.
• Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
• Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface, as well as the pool area.
• Do not allow a young child in the pool without an adult.
• Do not consider young children to be drown-proof because they have had swimming lessons.
• Children must be watched closely while swimming.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
• Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Babysitters and other caretakers, such as grandparents and older siblings, should also know CPR.
• Keep rescue equipment by the pool.
• Remove toys from in and around the pool when it is not in use.
• Toys can attract young children to the pool.
• Never prop open the gate to a pool barrier.
  

For further home and child safety information go to the Live and Learn web-site at http://www.liveandlearn.com/learn.html
You can also visit National Kids Safe Campaign at www.usa.safekids.org

Submitted by Captain, Alberto Olmos, SJFD, Public Information Officer