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Guidelines for keeping kids safe near swimming pools
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Summer is the season for fun in the sun, but as much as everyone relishes this time of year, it can also pose many risks for young children. The biggest danger for kids in the summertime is pools and the risk of drowning. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children under the age of five. This is a tragic statistic and these accidents are ones that can be prevented in many cases.
Just as you would never leave a baby unattended in a bathtub, small kids, regardless of their swimming prowess, should never be left alone by a pool. It only takes seconds for a child to fall and cause irreversible damage to their young bodies. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) offer the following pool safety tips to be aware of at all times:
· Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. An adult who knows CPR should actively supervise children at all times.
· Do not consider young children "drown proof" because they have had swimming lessons; young children should always be watched carefully while swimming.
· You must put up a fence to separate your house from the pool. Most young children who drown in pools wander out of the house and fall into the pool. Install a fence at least 4 feet high around all 4 sides of the pool. This fence will completely separate the pool from the house and play area of the yard. Use gates that self-close and self-latch, with latches higher than your children's reach.
· Keep rescue equipment (such as a shepherd's hook or life preserver) and a telephone by the pool.
· Do not use air-filled "swimming aids" as a substitute for approved life vests.
· After the children are done swimming, secure the pool so they can't get back into it.
· Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision.
· Never use a pool with its pool cover partially in place, since children may become entrapped under it. Remove the cover completely.
· Place tables and chairs well away from the pool fence to prevent children from climbing into the pool area.
· Keep toys away from the pool area because a young child playing with the toys could accidentally fall in the water.
· Remove steps to above ground pools when not in use.
· Learn CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation).
In addition, the CPSC advises people of all ages to follow these guidelines when using a diving board:
· 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.
By exercising extreme caution when you have kids near pools and following these important guidelines, you can ensure that your kids have a safe and fun summer.
Photo source: Stock.Xchng
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