Keeping Afloat Around the Pool
by Lori Marques
With drownings being
the fourth leading cause of death of
children under five years of age in the
US, and the leading cause of death in some
states such as California, Florida and
Arizona, enough can not be said or read on
this subject. Those statistics coming from
the US Product Safety Commission leads us
to believe that with all we read on
swimming pool safety especially during the
summer months one would think this type of
injury or death would be eliminated
altogether.
Unfortunately it is not. According to the USPSC an estimated 260 children under five years of age drown each year in residential swimming pools and spas. According to the Commission, "an estimated 3,000 children under age five are treated in hospital emergency rooms following submersion accidents each year. Some of these submersion accidents result in permanent brain damage." As we move into the hottest month of summer (unless you're on the other side of the world where it may be cold!) we want to put out a few reminders regarding water safety excerpted from our book Paranoid Sisters and Child Safety Made Easy.
* Children must be
constantly supervised by an adult when
swimming. The more people in or around the
pool, the more supervision necessary. You
need to assign one person who is dedicated
to watching the children. If that person
leaves, they need to pass that duty along
to another responsible adult (one that can
swim).
* Installing an alarm
on doors leading to the pool area is a
good practice.
* Pools should have a
five foot high fence completely around
them with a locking gate or a safety
cover.
* Teach and enforce
basic pool rules - No eating, running or
glassware by the pool.
* Keep objects not in
use out of the pool - Children will go in
the water if they want something they see
floating in it.
* Take a cordless phone
by the pool so you won't be tempted to run
in the house for "just a
minute."
* Remove small children
from the pool if adults want to
roughhouse.
* Floating devices may
give you and your child a false sense of
security.
* Don't force children
to participate - Let them adjust to this
new environment slowly. Your child may be
more comfortable if other children are in
the pool with them.
* Enroll your child in
swim lessons - Opinions vary on the age
for this, ask your pediatrician his/her
thoughts.
* Drain children's
pools and turn them upside down when not
in use.
*Learn CPR
Also, don't rely on
lifeguards at public pools to watch over
your children. They need your help as they
are supervising many children at
once.
Diving injuries can
result in quadriplegia, paralysis below
the neck. The USPSC gives the following
precautions to divers:
* 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.
Remember too that we
set the example for our children. If we
follow the rules, it will be easier for
them to follow them also. The bottom line
is, you can't be too cautious around
water. It may seem that these tips are
only important during warmer months,
however, pool safety all year around is
important. Just because you're not
swimming in the pool in January doesn't
mean that it isn't a drowning hazard.
Enjoy your summer, stay
cool and stay afloat!
Lori Marques and
Lisa Carter are moms and authors of
Paranoid Sisters‚ Child Safety
Made Easy (Screamin Mimi Publications,
$6.95). Learn more safety tips by visiting
their website.
E-mail: smimipub@pacbell.net.
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