Drown Out Dangers

HSC Asks Families to Stay Alert and Practice Safety around Water

The summer season marks the start of outdoor water-related activities and family gatherings around the pool. According to Home Safety Council research, drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury related death in the home. While American families work to reduce many home hazards, water safety is an area that is often overlooked.

“Drowning is a sudden and silent danger,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Anything from buckets and bathtubs to outdoor pools and ponds can be the site of a tragic drowning if children are left unsupervised for any amount of time.”

The Home Safety Council urges families to take the following basic safety precautions as they kick off the season:

Swimming Safety and Pool Security

• Practice constant adult supervision at all times when children are around any body of water. Adults must be within an arm’s reach of young children when they are near water.
• Older children should not be left in charge of younger children in the pool area.
• Assign specific adults to keep an eye on the pool at all times. When you have pool parties, formally assign adults to pool supervision shifts to ensure the children are watched closely throughout the party. Assigned supervisors should also avoid alcoholic beverages or medication that may impair judgment and/or reaction time.
• Install four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the home. Four-sided pool fencing is proven to be an effective drowning prevention intervention. Pool fencing should be at least five feet high and have self locking and self closing gates.
• Position gate latches out of the reach of young children and never prop the gate open or disable the latch.
• Clear debris, clutter and pool toys from the pool deck and adjoining pathways to prevent falls.
• Post emergency numbers near the pool area and keep a cordless, water-resistant telephone near the pool.
• Enroll non-swimmers in swimming lessons taught by a qualified instructor.
• Never swim alone. Even adults should always swim with a buddy.
• Learn and practice lifesaving techniques, including First Aid and CPR. Require that anyone who cares for your children learn CPR.
• Keep poolside rescue equipment close to the pool area.