According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, an estimated 350
children under five years of age drown each year in swimming pools, many in residential
pools. The Commission estimates that another 2,600 children under age five are treated in
hospital emergency rooms each year following submersion incidents. Some of these
submersions result in permanent brain damage.
Nationally, drowning is a leading cause of death to children under five.
The key to preventing these tragedies is to have layers of protection. This includes
placing barriers around your pool to prevent access, using pool alarms, closely
supervising your child and being prepared in case of an emergency. CPSC offers these tips
to prevent drowning:
- Fences and walls should be at least 4 feet high and installed completely around the
pool. Fence gates should be self-closing and self-latching. The latch should be out of a
small child's reach.
- If your house forms one side of the barrier to the pool, then doors leading from the
house to the pool should be protected with alarms that produce a sound when a door is
unexpectedly opened.
|
- A power safety cover -- a motor-powered barrier that can be placed over the water area
-- can be used when the pool is not in use.
- Keep rescue equipment by the pool and be sure a portable phone is poolside with
emergency numbers posted. Knowing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be a lifesaver.
- For above-ground pools, steps and ladders to the pool should be secured and locked or
removed when the pool is not in use.
- If a child is missing, always look in the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death
or disability.
- Pool alarms can be used as an added precaution. Underwater pool alarms generally perform
better and can be used in conjunction with pool covers. CPSC advises that consumers use
remote alarm receivers so the alarm can be heard inside the house or in other places away
from the pool area.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS: ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT A DROWNING. WATCH YOUR CHILD CLOSELY AT
ALL TIMES. MAKE SURE DOORS LEADING TO THE POOL AREA ARE CLOSED AND LOCKED. YOUNG CHILDREN
CAN QUICKLY SLIP AWAY AND INTO THE POOL.
|
THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION CAUTIONS DIVERS ABOUT IMPROPER
DIVING PRACTICES
Diving injuries can result in quadriplegia, paralysis below the neck, to divers who hit
the bottom or side of a swimming pool, according to CPSC. Divers should observe the
following precautions:
- Never dive into above-ground pools. They are too shallow.
- Don't dive from the side of an in-ground pool. Enter the water feet first.
- Dive only from the end of the diving board and not from the sides.
- Dive with your hands in front of you and always steer up immediately upon entering the
water to avoid hitting the bottom or sides of the pool.
- Don't dive if you have been using alcohol or drugs because your reaction time may be too
slow.
Improper use of pool slides presents the same danger as improper diving techniques.
Never slide down head first - slide down feet first only.
|
