Pool Safety: Saving Lives Through Common Sense

By Ian Partridge
POOL SAFETY: SAVING LIVES THROUGH COMMON SENSE


FACTS:

* The third greatest risk to children in America is drowning

* Throughout the world an average of 30 people per hour drown in pools, at beaches, and in other bodies of water. A large percentage of these victims are children 5 years of age and younger.

* In the United States the second leading cause of unintentional death in persons from 5 to 44 years old is drowning.

* For children under 14 years of age the primary cause of unintentional death is drowning.

* Drownings and near drownings tend to happen when children are in familiar surroundings being supervised by a parent. The drownings usually occurred during a supervisory lapse.

* Almost 70% of all children who were accidentally submerged were not expected to be near the pool at that time. 65% of these accidents happened in a pool owned by the family.

* It takes as little as 2 inches of water and 2 seconds for a child to drown.

* Children less than 1-year old are more likely to drown in buckets and bathtubs than older children are.

* In 90% of backyard drowning cases the parents eventually divorce.

* Drownings and near drownings occur in pools with perimeter fences and gate alarms.

ALWAYS THINK OF SAFETY:

* Never leave a child unattended in a pool, tub, or spa.

* Police both the areas inside and outside your pool. To gain access children may use chairs, boxes, ladders, and other objects left outside the pool.

* Wadding pools, buckets, and drains should be emptied of water when not in use and must be closely supervised when in use.

* If your pool is easily accessed through your home lock doggie doors.

* Never prop open a gate and leave it unattended.

* Install a passive infrared alarm system that will protect the entire pool area. Simply putting an alarm on the gate or door is not enough. Such alarm systems can be neutralized and once this occurs there is nothing between your child and the water.

* Remember young children are usually naturally curious about the water but often lack an understanding of the dangers involved.

* Stress water safety.

* All members of your family should learn how to swim.

Pool safety is not an accident. Sound planning, careful supervision, and an alarm system that cannot be compromised are important elements that will help ensure the well being of your children and their friends. These efforts will not go unrewarded.