It’s Summer time

     Time to talk about Swimming Pool Safety issues.  For the purpose of this article, pools also include spas.  Too many times you read in the papers, or watch it played over and over on television that another child has drowned in a back yard swimming pool.  The following statistics are found in the booklet “Children and Pools: A Safety Checklist”: 75% of the victims were between 12 and 35 months old; 65% were males.  65% occurred in the pool owned by the child’s family and 33% in the homes of friends and relatives where the child was a guest.  46% of the children were last seen in the house prior to being found in the pool.  23% were last seen playing in the yard, porch or patio.  31% were in the pool area just prior to being found in the water.  77% had been seen only 5 minutes or less before being missed and found in the pool.  How can this happen so often when there are measures you can take to prevent such tragedies?

     Survival depends on rescuing the child quickly and restarting the breathing process.  Take a few minutes and see how to prevent the senseless loss of a loved ones life. 

• Learn CPR…If your child or a neighbor’s child drowns in your pool will you know what to do?  CPR classes are offered free or for a small fee at local fire departments and hospitals.  Don’t wait for a tragedy to happen.  Learn how to save a life.
• Secure all doors leading to your pool area.  Make sure no one gets into the Pool without your knowledge.
• Floating pool alarms are available to alert you if someone falls in.
• Securable pool fences are a great way to keep curious little ones from getting too close.  This fence is a barrier that has no footholds or handholds that could help a young child to climb and it completely surrounds the pool.  If the house is part of the barrier, the doors leading to the pool should be protected by an audible alarm. Put alarms on all doors leading to your pool.  Alarms can be purchased at Pool supply outlets, and stores like Toy’s R Us, or type in Swimming Pool Safety in your computer search area and follow the guides.
• Steps and ladders leading to an above ground pool should be secured, preventing access.
• Pool covers should always be removed when the pool is in use.
• Keep an alert eye on all children in your care.  NEVER leave a child unattended in or around the pool.  Babysitters and guardians should be instructed about potential hazards.  Never rely on floatation devices or swimming lessons to protect your child.  A minute’s distraction can spell disaster if they wander into the pool area while you are on the phone.
• Designate an adult to be responsible to watch the children in and around the pool.  East Lake Fire Rescue has joined SAFE KIDS in distributing “Designated Child Watcher” badges and information about preventing drowning.  Pick up a Badge today.
• Keep a telephone by the pool.
• Keep devices like life rings or hooks available and assessable.
• Have your children take swimming lessons if they don’t already know how to swim.  Don’t rely on inflatable rings to keep them afloat.  If you also don’t know how to swim, it might not be a bad idea to take lessons yourself.
• Keep all electrical appliances away from your pool.  Sounds like common sense, but you’d be surprised how many people have radios, TVs, or fans near the pool edge.
• Don’t allow diving in areas of the pool that are not deep enough to dive safely.  There are around 700 spinal injuries reported every year from diving in shallow ends of the pool and other bodies of water.
• If you store chlorinated chemicals, don’t place any hydrocarbon-based fuel or additive near the container (brake fluid, gasoline, oil, etc.) the mixture can cause a fire.
• Have your pool and home checked by your local fire department for safety problems, especially if you have toddlers or small children at home.

     If you live in the East Lake Area you can call East Lake Fire Rescue at 784-8668 to set up an appointment to have your home and pool area inspected for safety hazards. 

Retired DC/P Bill Walker, RN

Child Passenger Safety Technician – Instructor

East Lake Fire & Rescue

784-8668