Safety in the Pool

For many kids, summer means perfecting their cannonballs, playing numerous rounds of Marco Polo and spending as much time as possible in the pool. But with the pleasure comes the potential for tragedy. Consider these sobering statistics:

• In 18 states, drowning ranks as a prominent cause of accidental death for children 4 and younger.
• Nationally, approximately 1,500 kids age 19 and younger drown each year.
• For every child who drowns, approximately four are hospitalized for near-drowning.
• Momentarily unsupervised times in bathtubs and around buckets (as when mopping the floor or washing the car) contribute to the drowning of kids 1 year old and younger. An inch or two of water can be deadly.
• Children ages 1 to 4 most often drown in backyard or apartment complex swimming pools. Older children are more likely to drown in lakes, ponds and rivers.

Water Ways

As scary as these stats are, it doesn’t mean you should never let your child near a pool or bathtub again (though your kids might go for ruling out the tub). Instead, think about taking these safety precautions:

• If you own a home, safeguard your pool with a four-sided fence. Be sure the latches to gates and doors are out of your child’s reach. A motor-driven pool cover can securely cover the water’s surface.
• Learn CPR.
• Teach children to swim at as young an age as possible.
• Don’t rely on water wings and other “floaties” as security measures. While great fun for kids, they are simply toys.
• Allow your children to swim at friends’ homes only when the supervision will be as strict as you would be. Volunteer to be the lifeguard if you’d feel more comfortable.
• Never leave a child alone at poolside. And when you are the “lifeguard on duty,” focus your attention on the children in and around the pool. Magazines, phone calls and side conversations may be too distracting. Do keep a phone handy for emergency purposes, though.

By being extra careful, you can ensure your child will have a splashing good time! Now don’t forget the sunscreen …

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